The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a shock announcement this week that they were stepping down as “senior” members of the Royal Family. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry posted on their Sussex Royal Instagram account: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, 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.”

Buckingham Palace quickly responded that discussions on the issue were “at an early stage”.

And the Sun’s royal correspondent Emily Andrews added that “throwing a tantrum” over receiving negative press was not the way the royals should react.

She wrote on Twitter: “A few thoughts on how the monarchy deal with the press. It is, of course, both deeply personal and deeply manufactured.

“The monarchy, as an institution, would like us only to write positive things about them, but grudgingly accepts that is not our job. Press releases, social media, all try to paint a positive image.

“But it is also there to inform the general public. A couple of years ago Prince William was pretty upset with me. I’d called him a hypocrite for launching ‘saving wildlife initiatives’ the same week as going big game shooting.

“More seriously, I’d called Wills ‘work-shy’ and that he didn’t want to face up/take on his full-time royal role. Stay in Anmer with his wife and kids, doing his Air Ambulance job. Not step up.

“It was true, but also pretty hurtful. His press Sec, in effect, tried to get me sacked for writing it.”

But Ms Andrews added that William did not hold a grudge over her comments.

She wrote: “How did Wills react? He sought me out at a tour drinks reception. I defended my position. He defended his.

“I know he was hurt but he has always spoken to me since and has been charming.

“And I hope I have been charming back! I respected him for taking me on. We’re all human.

“So I guess my point is that throwing a tantrum never works. Engagement is always better than fighting. Jaw jaw not war war.

“The relationship between press and monarchy is never easy. We can be cruel, unfair and yes, get things wrong! But we always strive to get it right. Like the royals.”

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Harry and Meghan launched an attack on the UK’s newspapers which coincided with their shock announcement.

In its media section, their new website Sussexroyal.com criticised Britain’s royal correspondents and said the couple would no longer participate in the “royal rota” system which has been used by Buckingham Palace for decades.

Harry and Meghan’s new approach, which will begin in the spring, will deny automatic access to royal correspondents, and focus instead on social media, “credible outlets”, specialist media, grassroots media organisations and young, up-and-coming journalists.

Their website said it was a misconception that Britain’s royal correspondents were credible sources on the royal family.

The royal rota gives accredited correspondents on UK national newspapers access to royal engagements on a pooled sharing basis to ensure maximum press coverage with minimum disruption to the engagement itself.

Outlining Harry and Meghan’s stance on media, the website said: “The duke and duchess believe in a free, strong and open media industry, which upholds accuracy and fosters inclusivity, diversity and tolerance.”

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has hit back at plans by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to restrict the national press’s access to their official engagements, branding it “completely unacceptable”.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, described the move as appearing to attempt “to prevent the media from functioning and compromising the ability of journalists to do their jobs, which is completely unacceptable”.

Ms Stanistreet added: “The rota system is not perfect, but it does allow UK media to cover the British royal family – an institution maintained by the public purse.

“We cannot have a situation where journalists writing about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex can only do so if they have the royal seal of approval.

“We reject sweeping criticism of journalists and media organisations by the duke and duchess, who simultaneously claim to respect the role of the media.”

But the Hacked Off campaign group, which calls for greater press regulation, said Harry and Meghan had been subjected to sustained abuse by the UK media.

Meanwhile, the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke of Cambridge have ordered their teams to find a “workable solution” over the future role of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex within the Royal Family.

A Buckingham Palace Source said this evening the senior royals have asked aides to work “at pace” with the Government and The Sussex Household and an outcome was expected to take “days, not weeks”.

Buckingham Palace has also been contacted by Express.co.uk. 

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