Barack and Michelle Obama are not in contact with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they “step back” from the royal family

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked royal family fans after announcing that they are stepping back from royal life. What’s more shocking are the reports that followed claiming that former U.S. President Barack Obama and her wife Michelle “advised” the Sussexes for their life outside the royal family.

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced via their official Instagram account. “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.”

The couple said that Baby Archie is one of the reasons why the made such an arrangement. “We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages,” the Sussexes added. “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.”

However, various reports soon came claiming that former POTUS Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are helping out Prince Harry and Meghan Markle adjust to their new life outside of the royal family. “Barack and Michelle Obama have advised the Sussexes on their plans for a new life outside the Royal Family,” Daily Mail reported. “Harry and Meghan have become close friends with the former US president and his lawyer wife and turned to them for help.”

“Sources confirmed Harry and Meghan had discussed their plans with the former US president and his wife and wanted to mimic the way they had managed to build a successful, but dignified, life for themselves after the White House,” the publication added.

But more recent reports refute claims that former President Barack Obama and Michelle are advising Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they have not been in contact with them. “The rumors of them having anything to do with this are totally false,” a source close to the Obamas was quoted by People. “The former president and first lady are not advising the couple and have not been in contact with them.”