Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are “following Sarah Ferguson” in keeping hold of their royal titles to make money in the US, according to a royal expert.
US royal commentator Kinsey Schofield says the pair’s titles have allowed them to “maintain the perception of royalty”, giving them a status similar to reality stars.
She added their actions were mirroring those of the Duchess of York during her move to the US in the 1990s following her split from Prince Andrew.
Ms Schofield said engaged royal watchers would categorise the pair as reality stars or celebrities but said they were “royal to the people that they are trying to impress”.
She said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were “trying to visually maintain the royal aesthetic” by partaking in “faux royal engagements” such as Prince Harry dropping the ceremonial puck at a Canucks-Sharks game.
Ms Schofield said: “Sarah came to America to magnify her celebrity. To make money off her association with the royals.
“Sarah partnered with Oprah Winfrey several times, produced Hollywood films, wrote books, and even appeared as a product pusher on one of the home shopping networks.
“Sarah partnered with Oprah Winfrey several times, produced Hollywood films, wrote books, and even appeared as a product pusher on one of the home shopping networks.”
She said Meghan and Harry’s interview with Oprah and lucrative Netflix deal were similar to Fergie’s actions since deciding to become “financially independent” from the Royal Family.
The Duchess of Sussex was recently mocked for using her royal title on the front of her book, The Bench.
