On Wednesday evening, London time, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to “step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family”. But as the news spread, theories have emerged that the rest of the Royal Family were left completely blindsided by the announcement.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s statement says they’ve decided to become financially independent and split their time between the UK and North America.

“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,” the statement read.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

But despite the lengthy and formal statement, theBBCis reporting that no other member of the Royal Family knew about Meghan and Harry’s decision to step down before the public knew.

The Palace is reported to be hurt and disappointed.

BREAKING. BBC Understands that no other member of the Royal Family was consulted before Harry and Meghan issued their personal statement tonight, the Palace is understood to be ‘disappointed’.

— Jonny Dymond (@JonnyDymond) January 8, 2020

TheBBChas published a statement from the family that reads: “Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”

The BBC is reporting no other royal was consulted about Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back as senior royals.

See the statement from the royal communications ???? pic.twitter.com/uuBZ3XqUvg

— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) January 8, 2020

Dymond, a royal correspondent, added while talking to theBBC, “I think it indicates a real strength of feeling in the Palace tonight – maybe not so much about what has been done but about how it has been done – and the lack of consultation I think will sting.

“This is clearly a major rift between Harry and Meghan on one part, and the rest of the Royal Family on the other.”

The news comes as the couple have returned from a six week holiday in Canada with Meghan Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland.

It’s no secret that they’ve been dragged through the British tabloids since their wedding in May 2018, with everything from Meghan’s family, her demeanour, her parenting, and her relationship with the other royals splashed across headlines.

Here’s Meghan telling the media she is not okay. Post continues after video.

Prince Harry sued the publisher of theMail on Sundayafter the newspaper published a handwritten letter she had sent to her estranged father, saying he could no longer be a “silent witness to her [Meghan’s] private suffering.

In an interview with ITV late last year, Meghan said she’d been warned about the British press, but hadn’t truly realised what she was in for.

“The biggest thing that I know, I never thought this would be easy, but I thought it would be fair. And that’s the part that’s really hard to reconcile,” she told the journalist, nearly in tears.

Here is how the world is reacting to the the news, with Twitter alight with commentators.

Here in Australia “Megan,” “Diana” and “Royal Family” are all trending.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: we’d like some privacy to raise our son and-

British press: Then leave lmao

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: *actually leave*

British press: pic.twitter.com/kQAPkpoOD7

— wan’s hair (@thefIoridaprjec) January 8, 2020

This is called setting boundaries. This is called considering others while also–and foremost–honoring your right to determine the path of your own life. Well done, Harry and Meghan! https://t.co/8D66ggqIP1

— Cheryl Strayed (@CherylStrayed) January 8, 2020

Princess Diana in heaven, watching #Meghan and Harry’s latest move: pic.twitter.com/naGE73PhGM

— Zamani Khethelo (@ZamaniNKhethelo) January 8, 2020

People say I’m too critical of Meghan Markle – but she ditched her family, ditched her Dad, ditched most of her old friends, split Harry from William & has now split him from the Royal Family. I rest my case. pic.twitter.com/xgKLTt2Y0Z

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

Piers: You need to go back to America Meghan.

Harry: I’m going too.

Piers: pic.twitter.com/uYxWh0R12t

— A R I A (@DuchyofSuccess) January 8, 2020

It’s one thing to quit your family. And it’s an entirely different thing to put out a statement telling the world you’re out before informing said family.

— Jessica Taylor (@JessicaTaylor) January 8, 2020

Royalists are weird. You all wanted a smaller Royal Family, and now you are angry that it’s actually happening. You said Harry & Meghan are irrelevant and need to step down, so why all the fake outrage?

— Missy (@MissySimpson84) January 8, 2020

The Royal Family acting like Meghan and Harry broke up with them via text: pic.twitter.com/Dto010AtB7

— Michael Tannenbaum (@iamTannenbaum) January 8, 2020

Feature image: AAP.