Meghan Markle's Estranged Sister Claims The Decision To 'Step Back' As Royals 'A Slap In The Face

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A Shocking Decision

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world when they announced that they would be stepping back from their duties as "senior" royals. They released a statement declaring their intent.

"We have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment."

What Does This Mean?

What this new phase of life would look like for them is still unclear, but they seem determined to start a new life with some distance from the Royal Family.

"We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honor our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages," they continued. "This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity."

"We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support

Meghan's Estranged Sister Weighs In

Plenty of people have been weighing in on this decision, including Meghan's estranged half-sister, Samantha Markle. She spoke to Inside Edition about Meghan and Harry's choice to step back, and she was deeply critical of her sister.

"It's a slap in the face. I think what is shocking is the lack of consideration for the people involved. The British Royal Family, the promises that were originally made to the British Royal Family to honor royal duty and to lead by example."

"They stepped into the spotlight knowing what the duties were, knowing what the media would be like for them. If she wanted to be so private, she wouldn't have sat at Wimbleton with 40 empty seats around her like a frame, 'Look at me, look at me, look at me.'"

She Insists She Isn't Jealous

Markle also claimed that Meghan "knows she's engaging in attention-getting behaviors." Yikes. As jealous as Samantha sounds (quite jealous), she insists that she isn't and that the family has "extended olive branches to Meghan."

"It's not about me being jealous, I was being honest from the beginning in hopes that I would appeal to her heart and her morality,"

Honestly, it seems like the right call for Meghan and Harry to get some space from both of their families right now.