Like a lot of other people around the world, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent the

last few weeks of the year getting in some quality family time.

And probably like a lot of other people with complicated families, they decided to skip

traditional Christmas celebrations with the whole royal family.

Instead, they spent several weeks in Canada with their son Archie.

And apparently they did some soul-searching over the holidays.

Because this week, they dropped a bombshell on Instagram.

Shocking announcement from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

A rift in the royal family.

It's astonishing.

It's momentous.

Take a reaction.

Disappointed, hurt, angry, incandescent.

Their Instagram posts said they will be stepping back as senior members of the royal family.

They're going to live part of the time in North America.

And while they say they're going to keep fully supporting the Queen, they're also going

to work to become financially independent from the monarchy.

Wait, what?

British royals were only sometimes royal and living in North America.

Can they do that?

Why is the monarchy paying for their lives?

Can the monarchy pay for our lives?

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