Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for Jan. 11
Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines for Jan. 11 are here. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's monumental "Megxit" was made with the couple and their son's safety in mind, a close pal of the prince now claims.
JJ Chalmers, 33, met Prince Harry when the two served in the military together. On Friday, Chalmers appeared on BBC's "The One Show," where he discussed how becoming a husband and father has changed the royal.
TEAM MEGHAN AND HARRY, OR TEAM ROYALS? CELEBS RALLY BEHIND 'MEGXIT' AS OPPONENTS SLAM COUPLE
"He's less the captain in the army that I knew and he's more the father," Chalmers told the U.K. outlet, adding that the "first thing" the pals now talk about is fatherhood.
"When you look at the decision that he's made, I think at the forefront of that is to protect his family because the number one rule is to be a father and be a husband," the friend continued.
When asked by the host if the family's protection was what truly drove Harry and Meghan's royal exit, Chalmers said he believes that to be the case.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shocked the world on Wednesday with an announcement that they will be stepping down as "senior members" of the royal family. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/Pool Photo via AP)
"Any husband wants to protect their wife and any father wants to protect their children," Chalmers said.
"Particularly, he's a very principal individual so when he looks at the way that the media, for example, reacts or how social media talks about someone, he has to answer to his son one day when he begins to understand this and be able to look him in the face and say 'I made the right decision and I did right by you.' Ultimately, he grew up in the limelight and he knows how this can end if it's not handled correctly."
BUCKINGHAM PALACE RESPONDS TO MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY'S EXIT: 'THESE ARE COMPLICATED ISSUES'
Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, dropped a bombshell on Buckingham Palace and their respective families on Wednesday when they announced their plan to reduce their roles in the royal family, split their time between the U.K. and North America, and earn their own income.
"We have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution," the couple shared in a statement. “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. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment."
"We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honor our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages," they continued. "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."
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"We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support," added the couple, who will reportedly keep their royal titles.
The news sent shockwaves through the palace, who followed up shortly after with a statement of their own.
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"Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage," a Palace spokesman told Fox News late Wednesday. "We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through."
The spokesman added that "nothing is being ruled or ruled out."
Fox News' Stephanie Nolasco and Jessica Napoli contributed to this report.
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