In the days following the couple's announcement, the palace confirmed that a solution would be reached this week. Prince Harry will join a family meeting on Monday afternoon with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and Prince William at Sandringham "to talk things through."
The face-to-face summit, which Meghan is likely to join by phone from Canada, follows a series of consultations and will see "a range of possibilities" brought to the table. These options, says the source, will "take into account the thinking of the Sussexes outlined earlier in the week. Making a change to the working life and role in the monarchy for the duke and duchess requires complex and thoughtful discussions."
A palace aide confirms that the aim to announce a decision within days, not weeks, remains, adding, "Next steps will be agreed at the meeting and the request for this to be resolved at pace is still Her Majesty’s wish."
Until then the couple's work continues, and Harry and Meghan still have a diary of events in place. On Thursday, January 16, Prince Harry will continue his advocacy for sport bringing communities together when he hosts the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draws at Buckingham Palace. He is expected to rejoin Meghan and son Archie in Victoria, Canada, some time afterward.