THEATRE bosses have been left fuming after patron Meghan Markle gave them no hint she would be abandoning her royal duties as she visited just hours before dropping her bombshell statement.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced last Wednesday they wanted to quit full-time royal duties to go and live in Canada as part of a 'progressive new role'.
The Sussexes currently hold 18 patronages at a number of charities and arts organisations which could now be under threat.
In a statement released on Monday, the Queen hinted the couple may lose their royal titles after referring to them as "Harry and Meghan" throughout.
Meghan visited the National Theatre in London just seven hours before dropping the bombshell announcement last Wednesday.
One National Theatre chief told the Mirror there is anger that Meghan gave no hint her patronage – handed to her by the Queen, who had held the role for 45 years – would be under threat.
The senior official said Meghan “carried on as if everything was completely normal”.
He added: “It’s fair to say there is a lot of worry about whether the Duchess will stick around after failing to tell theatre bosses of her intentions, which were published on social media hours after her meeting.
“She was seen as the perfect advertisement, she appeals to a cross section of ages and genders and it was hoped she would be a real force for change in the industry. We hope she doesn’t abandon us.”
It’s fair to say there is a lot of worry about whether the Duchess will stick around after failing to tell theatre bosses of her intentions
A spokesperson for the National Theatre said: "The Duchess of Sussex attended a private meeting with Rufus Norris (artistic director) and Lisa Burger (executive director) where they had very positive discussions about the NT's upcoming activity and engagement opportunities for the Duchess to engage with the work over the coming year.
"There was no discussion in the meeting about the subsequent announcement made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex which was issued several hours after the meeting had concluded."
On Monday, Harry met the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William for crunch talks at Sandringham about the couple's exit from the Royal Family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex got their way at the Royal Family’s crisis summit — but the Queen made it plain she is deeply upset they are quitting.
After the Sandringham talks, Her Majesty released a statement saying the couple will be allowed to step down from their duties and spend time in Canada.
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But she said: “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.”
Harry flew back to the UK for the crisis summit while Meghan waited at the couple's £14m Vancouver mansion during the talks.
The prince is expected to fly back to his wife and baby Archie this week at the plush Canadian pad where they spent their extended Christmas break.
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