Royals stepping back: views from Brighton and Hove

The shock move has caught the rest of the royal family off guard, and raises questions about the couple’s future.

In a “personal message”, Harry and Meghan said they intend to become financially independent while continuing to support the Queen. They said they plan to divide their time between the UK and North America.

We hit the streets to ask people their views on the news.

Claire Middleton, 39, works in local government. She is in two minds about the news.

She said: “I guess when you’re born into the royal family, you’re expected to keep to your obligations.

“If you’re stepping away, that puts more onus on the other members of the family.

“If you resign from a role in the royal family, it’s like any workplace. It puts more burden on the rest of the team.

“At the same time, they must be constantly aware of their obligations, and it must be difficult. I think their choice should be accepted. It’s good they’re getting to live the life they want.

“And it’s good they’re going to be financially independent. There are lots of people in this country struggling to make ends meet. If they’re financially independent, it’s less of a burden on us.”

Kane Wilson-Fitzgerald, 28, Robert Farr, 27, and Alex Maxwell, 25, are worried about Meghan and Harry’s son.

Kane said: “My opinion is that it’s all about the kid.

“If you look at the family recently, they don’t look happy.

“It must be traumatic for them to always be in the public eye.”

Alex said: “If you’re a public figure it must do your head in. We’re just thinking about their kids really.”

Robert said: “I think Meg is obviously running the show here, and I don’t blame her.

“Hopefully they’ll be happier in Canada.”

Sophie, 35, is homeless. She said: “Harry and Meghan must have a hard life in the public eye.

“Especially with a kid.

“I don’t have a TV and I’ve been a bit out of touch, but I understand why they’ve done it. Bless them.

“I’m a bit of a royalist and I get cross with people tearing into Harry and Meghan.

“It’s not their fault the country is in such a mess. They don’t run the country.

“I really like the history of the royal family, and I’ve got a lot of time for Prince Charles. He had such a hard time with Diana.

“If I were Harry and Meghan, I’d run away.”

Artist Meraki Fade, 30, and tree surgeon Daniel Stevens, 37, say they are not royalists.

“At least they’re resigning now”, Meraki said.

“I understand they face some pressures and they’ve been smeared badly.

“And I think Meghan has been particularly fiercely attacked because of her heritage.

“And the whole prince Andrew thing is bloody disgusting.

“The royal family is going to have to change.

“It looks as though it’s becoming more streamlined, and needs to be seen to be working a bit more for the public.

“We’re against the elitist, archaic royal family.

“And having them doesn’t boost tourism as much as people would have you believe.”

Ian Taylor is upset by the news.

The 48-year-old from Burgess Hill said: “It’s such a shame. The gutter press have created such a hostile environment for these two young, successful people that they felt they had to retire from their positions.

“Meghan is an independent, successful woman, and Harry is a credit to his family.

“I imagine they will benefit from the tighter privacy laws in North America.

“It’s our loss as a nation that we have allowed our press to hound these two successful people out of the country.

“They have a halo effect on the charities they support, and the work they’ve done to raise awareness for mental health is admirable.

“They are an absolute credit to the royal family.”

Rosie and David Peel, from Hove, sympathise with the decision.

Rosie said: “They clearly don’t want to be inaugurating ships and the like any more.

“Now, they’ll use their time in the public eye to do more charity work.

“And they won’t be under such scrutiny any more.

“I don’t see them as senior royals really anyway. I think of Charles as one, but I don’t think this will be a big loss for the rest of the family.

“I understand why they’ve done it. They are under a lot of pressure.

David said: “Harry lost his mum. They probably want to protect their son.

“It might set a precedent. Harry’s always bucking the trend.”

Laura Cope, 33, from Hove, backs the move.

She said: “It’s a good thing. They’ll be able to do more charity work now.

“And it looks as though the royal family is becoming more modern.

“Harry and Meghan may be the first to do it, but others might start following in their footsteps.

“They could set a precedent for other members of the royal family to follow.

“They also said they’d still be serving the Queen, and they’re going to be making their own way in the world financially.

“I think it’s a great decision.”

Adrian Knowles, 57, is a carer and a gardener.

He said: “If they want to retire then that’s fine.

“But if they knew they were going to step back all this time, why did they take millions in public money to renovate their house?

“It seems a bit rich to me.

“Meghan’s an actress and she wants what she wants. As I say this is just my opinion.

“This was probably pre-planned. Harry’s very protective.

“But I thought he would have had more respect for his grandmother.

“Apparently she wasn’t told.

“I’ve got nothing against the royal family though.”