Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bid to 'overtake Royal popularity' laid bare by expert

A royal expert believes the Sussexes have a new weapon in their arsenal which the rest of the Royal Family are 'not able to match'.

By Richard Ashmore, Senior News Reporter

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have enjoyed success with their trips abroad (Image: Getty )

Prince Harry and Meghan have a new tactic up their sleeve when it comes to beating anyone else in the Royal Family at getting the most public attention, a royal expert claims.

During the Sussexes trip to Nigeria in May, the Duke and Duchess received a reception on a par to a state occasion, something royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams believes other royals "cannot match".

Speaking to The Sun, he said a new planned trip to Columbia for the California-based couple would generate a huge amount of publicity even the most senior members of the Royal Family could not currently acheive.

He told the paper: “It’s going to take an enormous amount of publicity and the Royal Family will not be able to match that in any way that I can foresee.

“They’ve (The Sussexes) shown in the last couple of weeks they’re not afraid to bring up material that would embarrass the Royal Family or refer to rifts with it.

Keep up to date with all the latest Royal Family news by following our LIVE blog.

 

Prince Harry and Meghan

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoyed a successful trip to Nigeria in May (Image: Getty )

“And that’s only a step away from overtly criticising it. They would say that they’re doing their own thing in a way they feel they are best able to do it.

“What it will do, however, will be to draw attention to the Sussexes and not to the Royal Family, at least not to the Royal Family in a positive way because the Sussexes and the Royal Family have a very deep rift. That’s the problem.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appeared in a pre-recorded interview for US programme last weekend, CBS Sunday Morning, about a new initiative supporting parents of children affected by online harm.

During the interview the Duchess spoke about how she overcame her experience of suicidal thoughts, at the height of her crisis in the British monarchy, to save lives.

Their trip to Nigeria has been dubbed a royal tour

Harry and Meghan enjoyed a warm welcome when they visited Nigeria (Image: Getty )

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have raised the issue of childhood trauma and mental health numerous times since their move to America, and are also due to focus the spotlight on the topic during their official visit to Colombia following an invitation by vice president Francia Marquez.

The Sussexes' trip to the South American nation will be their second official tour of the year after they visited Nigeria in May, taking part in a range of activities over three days.

While details of the couple's itinerary have not been released by the Archewell Foundation, the vice president said they would "engage in several activities" related to safeguarding young people online and in physical spaces.

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?