Royal commentators react to final decision on Harry and Meghan's royal exit

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's exit from their role as senior royals has been finalised, 10 days on from the couple's shock announcement of their plans for the future.

The decision is detailed in a new statement from Buckingham Palace, which explains the couple will cease royal duties and stop using their Royal Highness titles from Spring 2020.

Royal correspondents and commentators have had mixed reactions to the news.

Dickie Arbiter, former royal press secretary, says the arrangement agreed upon is, for both the Sussexes and the Queen, "the best they could hope to get".

"It's a win-win for both sides. Both sides benefit, [but] both sides lose out," Arbiter told Today, adding the loss of Meghan from royal life is a particular shame.

"I think she was a great asset, both to the Royal Family and to the UK."

Speaking of the couple's decision to step back, Arbiter said he'd "never seen anything like it", adding the closest equivalent was the 1936 abdication of Edward III.

Victoria Arbiter, 9Honey's royal commentator, called the Queen's statement "supportive and personal" on Twitter.

ITV's Royal Editor Chris Ship also likened the scale of this development to the famous abdication of Edward VIII, calling it a "hard exit" for the Sussexes:

The Sun's royal correspondent Emily Andrews believes the couple got "a good deal" but that the final decision differs to what Harry and Meghan had outlined in their own statement.