The Queen says she “respects” Prince Harry and Meghan’s wish for a new life and after “constructive” talks, allowed the couple to spend time in Canada and the UK during a “period of transition”.
The monarch admitted there are still “complex matters” to be resolved, which include their security costs estimated to be about £1million a year.
Prince William was seen leaving the Sandringham estate in Norfolk after the meeting, which also involved the Queen, Prince Charles and Harry.
Meghan was expected to join the conversation via a conference call from Canada. It is not clear when Harry will join his wife, or if she will come back, but he is due at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
The crisis talks came after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they want to be financially independent and step back from senior royal duty.
On Monday, the Queen said in a statement: “Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.
“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family.
“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.
“Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.
“It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.
“These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”