They waved to cameras hours before breaking the news: A timeline of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal exit
They were hailed as the most progressive members of the monarchy, the couple that would help usher in a new, more modern era for the royal family – and then they were gone.
Five years ago, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sent shockwaves out around the world when they announced they were stepping down as senior working members of the British royal family.
Keep reading for a full timeline of how it happened and what they've done with their new, post-exit lives.
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On January 7, 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex carried out an engagement at Canada House, in London, after briefly returning to the UK from their holiday on Vancouver Island.
It seemed like a normal royal engagement, the kind of laid-back appointment meant to ease the pair back into work after time off. Little did the world know what was just around the corner.
Hours after this photo was taken, news broke that the couple was intending to step down as 'senior royals' to pursue a more private life away from Britain.
On January 8, in the evening UK time, Prince Harry and Meghan confirmed the rumours with a bombshell announcement on their now-defunct Instagram page, Sussex Royal, that they intended to leave their place as senior royals to pursue a financially independent life and split their time between the UK and North America.
"This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity," Harry and Meghan wrote.
The reaction from the royal family was swift, amid speculation the Sussexes had not told the Queen, Prince Charles or any other family members of their plans.
A statement from Buckingham Palace, also issued on January 8, was brief.
"Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage," it read. "We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through."
There were rumours Harry and Meghan had blindsided Her Majesty, leaving the monarch "disappointed".
"A palace source tells the BBC that senior members of the Royal family feel 'hurt' by the announcement that Harry and Meghan are to withdraw from their current Royal roles," the BBC reported.
"The source confirmed that no members of the royal family were consulted."
Not surprisingly, Harry and Meghan's royal exit was front page news both in Australia and in the UK, dominating headlines across all of Britain's major publications.
The Guardian lead with: 'Harry and Meghan to "step back as senior royals"'
The Daily Telegraph stated: 'Harry and Meghan quit the Firm'
The Times declared: 'Harry and Meghan quit roles amid Palace split'
And in a phrase we've all come to associate with the move, The Sun simply read: 'Megxit'
On January 13, the Queen hosted a meeting at her country estate in Norfolk, now known as the Sandringham Summit.
Prince Charles cut short his trip to the Middle East to attend the talks, also attended by Prince William and, of course, Prince Harry.
Meghan remained in Canada having returned there after the Canada House engagement.
After the meeting, the monarch released an uncharacteristically personal statement saying the family was "entirely supportive" of their wishes to "create a new life as a young family."
"Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family," Queen Elizabeth II said in the statement.
"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."
Her Majesty's statement continued: "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."
One of the terms of the deal reached with the Queen, senior royals and the government was that Harry would have to give up all honourary military appointments.
Prince Harry expressed his sadness at the move during an event in honour of his charity, Sentebale, in February.
"The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly," he revealed.
"It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven't always got it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option."
Weeks after Harry and Meghan's announcement, the Queen moved to stop the Sussexes using the 'royal' brand.
A royal source said: "As The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are stepping back as senior Members of the Royal family and will work towards financial independence, use of the word 'Royal', in this context, needed to be reviewed. Discussions are still ongoing."
Soon after Harry and Meghan's spokesperson confirmed: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use 'Sussex Royal' in any territory post Spring 2020.
"While The Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding use of the word 'Royal,' it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation, when it is announced this Spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation."
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