Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are attempting to be rivals to the Royal Familyto save their image, a royal expert has claimed.
It comes after fans pointed out similarities between the Sussexes' three-day tour of Nigeria and an official royal tour.
The Duke and Duchess have returned to the US after spending time in Nigeria visiting a primary and secondary school in the capital before meeting military wives and senior officials at Nigeria's defence HQ on Friday.
Harry was also photographed playing volleyball while Meghan referred to Nigeria as "my country".
Harry and Meghan undertook a three-day tour of NigeriaReutersOne royal expert says he believes "an alternative royal family is emerging".
"The problem for the Sussexes is that once you start doing anything like that, people become a lot more critical of what you do outside that - like commercial endeavours or quasi-royal tours," Gareth Russell told The Sun's Royal Exclusive show.
"People will put them under more of a microscope because they're calling it 'The Office of Harry and Meghan.'
"It's interesting. I wonder is it part of a plan to pivot from some harsh headlines they've had in the last year or two?"
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s suggestion that they will do more foreign tours and Harry’s statement claiming King Charles had refused to meet him have seemingly reactivated the feud between the two families.
Russell now believes Harry and Meghan could be planning more "faux-royal tours" - including across the US.
He said: "their popularity at the moment is pretty low in America but that could change. Public opinion is always a bit of a rollarcoaster.
"But they absolutely could (go on a US tour) and there's indications that they will."
One royal expert says he believes 'an alternative royal family is emerging'
GettyHarry and Meghan have hinted that their trip to Nigeria was not an isolated event and more such tours are being planned.
The Duke of Sussex told People: “It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support and positive change.
“There’s only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to travelling more because the work matters.
“Whether it’s the Archewell Foundation, Invictus, or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work.”
