January 2020. The Queen, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge have instructed their senior aides to work with the UK and Canadian governments to help carve out new roles for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex within “days not weeks”. The three most senior royals were engaged in crisis talks on Thursday following Prince Harry and Meghan’s bombshell announcement that they are to “step back” from the royal family, and split their time between Britain and North America. Palace officials hope a resolution, in the form of a fully worked out and agreed plan, could be announced within days to help achieve the couple’s ambitions for “progressive” new roles. Royal aides have been directed to work with the Sussexes and government representatives “at pace”, according to sources. There is said to be a willingness to make this work, though Buckingham Palace has acknowledged there are “complicated issues to work through”. The couple announced their explosive news on Instagram and their new website on Wednesday evening. Members of the royal family were not given any warning of the move, leaving Buckingham Palace blindsided.