- Meghxit. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shook up the House of Windsor yesterday by announcing they would step back from their roles as ‘senior’ members of the royal family. They plan to split their time between the U.K. and North America, the place of Meghan’s birth. 

The announcement caps a tumultuous period for the couple, who welcomed their first child Archie eight months ago and have engaged in battle with the U.K. tabloid press.

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the couple said in a post on Instagram. “It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.”

The self-imposed exile is considered unprecedented for the royal family, but it’s not wholly surprising given the rumors of rising tension between the couple and their closest relatives. Reports suggest the Duke and Duchess didn't give other members of the royal family a head's up. Buckingham Palace issued a frosty statement calling the decision "early stage" and saying that there are still a lot of details to figure out.

An especially interesting tidbit from the couple’s statement is their aim to become financially independent. In that regard, I, for one, am looking forward to the relaunch of The Tig, Meghan’s defunct lifestyle blog, which was likely ahead of its time.

Putting aside the jokes and can’t-look-away family drama, the announcement further cements Meghan’s status as an independent force within an institution defined by protocol. Of course, her background—an American, raised in California by her black mother—sets her apart from the rest of the monarchy, but so too has her emotional, open demeanor and subtle nods to female empowerment. She’s reportedly hugged the guards at Buckingham Palace despite being told not to; "I’m American. I hug,” she said. She described herself as a feminist in her official royal biography. She’s talked frankly about taboo topics like menstruation, and then there was The Wedding. The question now is whether the distance from Buckingham Palace will further embolden her public persona. Her enormous platform is unlikely to shrink, but perhaps the restraints of ‘senior’ royal life will.

Claire Zillman
[email protected]
@clairezillman

Today's Broadsheet was produced by Emma Hinchliffe. 

- Pelosi's vote on power. The House of Representatives is set to vote today on a war powers resolution to limit President Trump's military actions in Iran. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, the freshman Democrat and former CIA analyst, authored the resolution. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi noted in her statement announcing the vote that Trump ordered the Iran strike without consulting Congress. NBC News

- Leading ladies. More movies than ever—40%—featured female lead characters last year. The milestone for female protagonists can likely be credited to an increase in women working as writers and directors; films with women in those behind-the-scenes roles were far more likely to feature female protagonists. Sixty-eight percent of female lead characters, however, were white. Guardian

- Short-form details. Meg Whitman and Jeffrey Katzenberg revealed more details about their shortform video platform Quibi at the Consumer Electronics Show. The service will launch April 6, offer more than 175 original shows in its first year, release new content every weekday, and cost $4.99 a month with ads or $7.99 a month without. CNBC

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: McDonald's named SVP, corporate strategy and business development Lucy Brady to the new role of chief digital customer engagement officer. Lululemon named Uber's Nikki Neuburger chief brand officer. NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker will become co-anchor of Weekend TODAY, replacing Sheinelle Jones. Healthcare investment bank SVB Leerink hired Stephanie Davis Demko of Citibank as managing director and senior research analyst to cover healthcare technology and distribution.