The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent shockwaves around the world when they announced their desire to step back from ‘senior’ roles in the royal family. It has since emerged that Prince Harry defied both the Queen and Prince Charles in releasing the statement when he did. The move is dramatic, unprecedented, and controversially-timed with the Duchess of Cambridge’s birthday. Was it the right thing to do? The Evening Standard’s royal editor, Robert Jobson joins The Leader podcast to discuss the on the timeline that led to an historic announcement – and the earthquake it’s sent through Buckingham Palace

Re-launching a new Royal brand:

There has been much media speculation about the Duchess of Sussex’s role in the couple’s decision. Evening Standard columnist Anne McElvoy met Meghan Markle recently, and joins The Leader podcast with her impressions – was she a rebel desperate to escape ‘the firm’?

Royals in America:

Harry and Meghan have said they plan to balance their time between the UK and North America. Much has been made of a possible move to Canada, perhaps Toronto. However the Evening Standard’s US correspondent David Gardner says it seems the royal couple have another major coastal city in mind – and it’s even further away. Listen to the podcast to find out where it is, and how George Clooney and Oprah Winfrey might have had a hand in the Sussex’s decision.

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TRANSCRIPT:

David Marsland  

Thanks for listening to The Leader and before we start, thanks to the Publisher Podcast Awards who've just shortlisted us in their best news and current affairs category, they're following the leader and you can too by subscribing through your podcast provider. Now, from the Evening Standard in London, this is The Leader.

Hi, I'm David Marsland. This is the inside story of how Harry defied the Queen to say he and Meghan acquitting the Royal family.

Robert Jobson  

What was clear, very clear is that she told Harry that he did not want him going public about any of these possible future plans until they've been fully discussed. Well, he did

David Marsland  

Our Royal editor Robert Johnson on the timeline that led to an historic announcement and the earthquake it sent through Buckingham Palace. Also,

Anne McElvoy  

The presence of Meghan Markel, the Duchess of Sussex in the equation is clearly a catalyst for something that's been very dramatic. But I don't think it's fair to say he's been led by his wife,

David Marsland  

Standard columnist and senior editor of The Economist Anne McElvoy speaks to The Leader about her meeting with Meghan last year. Were there any signs of what was to come? And...

David Gardner  

Meghan has been discussing the move with her celebrity friends. People like George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, they've been very critical about the kind of treatment to that Meghan and Harry have had at the hands of the British media

David Marsland  

From LA or US correspondent David Gardner and how the couple appear to be planning to build a base and perhaps a...

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