Duchess of Edinburgh 'pointing the way' for Meghan and Prince Harry royal return

Eden writes: "There is no denying that Harry and Meghan have done admirable work for charity – particularly through their Archewell Foundation."

"But the contrast between Sophie's heartfelt work and the Sussexes' latest unregal, money-making project highlights the markedly different paths their lives have taken.

He added: "Although most people have long forgotten, Queen's Elizabeth's youngest son and his wife were caught up in controversies of their own after they tried to combine business with royal duties."

The writer refers to Prince Edward, who was forced to close his TV production company, Arden, in 2002 after the organisation was caught filming Prince William at St Andrews University.

This breached agreements between the media and the Royal Family to leave the future king alone while he was studying.

The Duchess of Edinburgh was also caught in the middle of a royal scandal after she was encouraged to make embarrassing comments about the Royal Family and the then prime minister Tony Blair by an undercover News of the World reporter posing as a Arab Business man.

Sophie and Edward's public images were heavily damaged, and Eden suggests fans' perceptions would never recover.

Following the 2001 'fake sheikh' scandal, the royal couple abandoned paid work to concentrate on royal duties.

Supported by the late Queen Elizabeth II, they have become popular members of the Royal Family over the past year.

Sophie's reputation also received a major boost when it was revealed that she was a key figure in supporting Princess Kate through her cancer treatment this year.

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Eden claims that one courtier told him: "If the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are prepared to give up their private work and return to royal life, they would be welcomed back. Certainly, as long as King Charles is monarch. Prince William is unlikely to be as forgiving as his father."

The royal writer also claims that Prince Harry is tired of producing TV documentary's and sees a return to royalty as a way of boosting his philanthropist projects.

The Duke of Sussex will attend the Invictus Games in February which is a an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick service members and veterans he founded in 2014.

It is unclear whether Meghan Markle and his children will join him for the event.