Breaking News: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Royal Exit: 5 Years Later, Here’s What They’ve Said About the Decision…see more

On Jan. 8, 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the bombshell announcement that they planned to step back as senior working royals, writing on Instagram, “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.”

Though the announcement ultimately came on Jan. 8, the first hint of the couple leaving their working royal roles happened three months prior in October 2019, when they announced their intention to take six weeks off to spend “family time” together, ultimately doing so in Vancouver Island, Canada, where they celebrated Christmas privately — and not at Sandringham with the rest of the royal family, as was tradition.

In fact, Harry and Meghan visited Canada House in London to thank them for their hospitality during their Vancouver Island stay on Jan. 7, just one day before their bombshell announcement.