Wax figures of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been swiftly removed from the Royal Family set at Madame Tussauds just hours after the couple announced they would be stepping back as senior royals.
Harry and Meghan announced on Wednesday they plan to split their time between the UK and North America and work to become "financially independent" as they seek to "provide our family with the space to focus on the next chapter".
On Thursday, images emerged of an empty space next to waxworks of the Queen, Prince Phillip, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge where figures of Harry and Meghan once stood.
Steve Davies, general manager at the attraction in London, said: “Alongside the rest of the world we are reacting to the surprising news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be stepping back as senior royals.
“From today, Meghan and Harry’s figures will no longer appear in our Royal Family set.
“As two of our most popular and well-loved figures they will of course remain an important feature at Madame Tussauds London as we watch to see what the next chapter holds for the them.”
The Queen and other members of the family were said to be left “hurt” by the timing of Harry and Meghan’s personal statement announcing their decision.
A series of commentators have strongly criticised their decision with public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski saying about the Sussexes: “It does feel like a royal couple in exile”.
