PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are desperately trying to be rivals of the royal family to save their image, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have just returned to the US after a three-day trip to Nigeria.
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The Sussexes kicked off their “faux royal tour” with a visit to Lightway Academy, a primary and secondary school in the capital.
They then visited Nigeria’s defense headquarters on Friday to meet military wives and senior officials.
The following day, Harry was spotted playing volleyball, before Meghan referred to Nigeria as “my country”.
Many royal fans were quick to point out the similarities between the trip and an official royal trip.
And now a royal expert says he believes “an alternative royal family is emerging.”
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive with Matt Wilkinson, Gareth Russell said: “To all intents and purposes, that is a real possibility.
“The problem for the Sussexes is that when you start doing something like this, people become much more critical of what you do outside of it – like business ventures or quasi-royal travel.
“People are going to put them under a microscope because they’re calling it ‘Harry and Meghan’s Office.’
“It’s interesting. I wonder if this is part of a plan to move away from some of the harsh headlines they’ve had over the last couple of years?
“Will it perhaps be a slightly more socially conservative direction and consider themselves royals in exile for lack of a better word?
“What I wonder is whether they are acting on the advice that people don’t want to hear them criticizing the royal family.”
Russell now believes Harry and Meghan may be planning more “fake royal trips” – including around the US.
He explained: “Their popularity at the moment is very low in America, but that could change.
“Public opinion is always a kind of rollercoaster.
“But they absolutely could (tour the US) and there are indications that they will.”
While Harry and Meghan were in Nigeria, they revealed a partnership between the Archewell Foundation and non-profit organization Giants of Africa, which aims to empower young people through sport.
MEGXIT TERMS
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced on January 8, 2020 that they would step down as “senior” members of the Royal Family.
On January 18 it was announced that Harry and Meghan would “no longer be working members of the British Royal Family” and would not use their “Royal Highness” titles.
A palace spokeswoman said the couple would no longer receive public money and would reimburse the £2.4 million cost of renovating their country home – Frogmore – in Windsor, Berks.
The following day, Harry said in a heartfelt speech: “Our hope was to continue to serve the Queen, the Commonwealth and my military associations without public funding. Unfortunately, this was not possible.”
The Duke of Sussex said he found “the love and happiness I have waited for all my life” with Meghan.
But in the hours that followed, the charity made headlines after it was declared “delinquent” and ordered to stop raising money.
It was alleged that the charity did not timely file its 2022 tax return or related costs.
However, the documents were filed and the check sent, but it never arrived, The Telegraph reported.
The Sussexes’ charity broke its silence on Tuesday night about the alleged cash problems, saying it is “fully compliant”.
A spokesperson said: “We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that the Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing.
“Payments due were made promptly and in accordance with IRS processes and procedures.
“In addition, all necessary documentation was completed by the Foundation without errors or irregularities.”
And in a new statement Tuesday night, the California Department of Justice confirmed that the charity is “current and in good standing.”
A spokesperson said: “After contacting our Register of Charities and Fundraising, the organization is up to date and in good standing.”
Upon leaving Nigeria, the couple expressed their “deepest gratitude” for the “tremendous hospitality” of the communities.
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Highlights of the trip to Nigeria
The Sussexes touched down in the capital Abuja on Friday morning to promote the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.
They began their “fake royal trip” with a visit to Lightway Academy, a primary and secondary school in the capital.
On Saturday, Harry showed his competitive side at an Invictus Games sitting volleyball event.
At a charity event that night, Harry and Meghan were photographed representing God Save The King.
It happened when the duo visited Nigeria’s defense headquarters on Friday to meet military wives and senior officials.
He later visited a military hospital in war-torn Kaduna, about 200km north of Abuja.
The region has seen horrific fighting between nomadic Fulani herders and farmers, as well as an insurgency by Boko Haram Islamists.
Meghan referred to Nigeria as “my country” while co-hosting an event for Women in Leadership.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
