THE BRITISH QUEEN has issued a statement in support of Harry and Meghan following a crisis summit saying the royal family “respect and understand” their desire for a “new life”.

The UK’s head of state announced there would be a “period of transition” with Harry and Meghan – who have said they want to be financially independent and step back as senior royals – living in Canada and the UK.

She stressed the discussions were “complex matters” for her family to resolve but she wanted “final decisions” in the “coming days”.

Her statement reads: “Today my family had a very constructive discussion 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.”

On 8 January, Harry and Meghan announced that they were to “step back” as senior members of the royal family and divide their time between the UK and North America.

The move followed weeks of speculation about their future after they took an extended break from royal duties over the festive period that followed an emotional appearance in a documentary.

In the ITV programme, they spoke about the pressures they have been facing and family rifts, and in a separate move Harry issued a damning statement against the media accusing sections of the press of bullying his wife.

The couple said in their statement: “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.

“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty the Queen.”

With reporting by PA