The couple announced their decision to “carve out a progressive new role” within the Royal family in a statement released on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, via Instagram The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, via Instagram.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, via Instagram.

The couple’s decision comes after intense scrutiny from press in the United Kingdom. Most recently, they filed a lawsuit against a newspaper for allegedly unlawfully publishing one of Meghan’s private letters and a series of untrue stories.