The reason why Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle’s announcement was rushed has been revealed

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle took the world by surprise when they announced earlier this week that they were ‘stepping back’ from their role as ‘senior’ royals, but it turns out there was a reason why it was so sudden.

• According to the couple’s friend Tom Bradby, the ITV journalist who filmed their documentary in South Africa (opens in new tab), the Duke and Duchess were forced to reveal their intentions as their statement was leaked to the press.
• The journalist also revealed that the couple felt there was 'no place for them' in the future of the monarchy.
• This follows royal news (opens in new tab) that Duchess Meghan Markle has returned to Canada, where Archie had stayed with the nanny (opens in new tab).

According to Tom, the couple had initiated the discussion with the Royal Family a few weeks ago, and were asked to put it in writing, something they refused at first for fear it would be leaked to the press.

“And certainly as I understand it what happened is he was asked by members of his family — or at least his officials — to put some of these ideas in writing. He said, 'I really don’t want to do that because it normally leaks”, Tom said, speaking on ITV News.

<blockquote>READ MORE: Did Beatrice and Eugenie’s royal roles inspire Harry and Meghan’s ‘step back’ from royal life? (opens in new tab)

“And they were very insistent in order to go forward and discuss it properly it had to be put in writing. He did put it in writing, and it did leak. So yes, I don't think [the royal family] got much heads-up as to the actual announcement, but they certainly knew what was going on. I think [Harry] felt once it had been leaked all bets were off."

The couple released their statement on social media only after the news that they were planning to step back was reported by The Sun.

READ MORE: Buckingham Palace issues statement in response to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's announcement (opens in new tab)

Speaking about their decision, Tom added, "There've been a lot of fallouts; a lot of harsh things were said around the time of the wedding. And it's gone a bit too far. And certainly the rest of the family find Harry and Meghan very difficult and, from Harry and Meghan’s point of view, they’re just being driven out as they see it. And it's sad."

Speaking of their viewpoint, he said that Harry and Meghan felt that they were heading to “slimmed-down monarchy” focused on direct heirs Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George, and that there was no place for them.

'We need to learn to live on our own. We want to get on and do that’”, he added, about Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s views.