Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to be "trying to replicate their royal lives" despite quitting the monarchy, a royal commentator has claimed. Columnist Daniela Elser made the comments after two new pictures of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were released yesterday.
The two snaps were taken by the Sussexes' friend Misan Harriman during their UK trip last month.
The couple were attending the One Young World summit in Manchester.
The first image shows Meghan in a red trouser suit with Harry standing behind at her left side.
The second black and white shot is side on as they hold hands.
The pictures came days after an official portrait of King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William and Kate was released.
It comes as Harry and Meghan are living in the US after quitting as working royals in March 2020.
The Sussexes have set up home in Calfornia with their two children Archie and Lilibet.
The couple have faced tensions with the royals in the wake of their exit and made series of explosive claims about the monarchy in their Oprah Winfrey interview.
But they came together with the royals following the late Queen's death in September.
Harry and Meghan were already in Britain as part of a Europe trip to carry out charity engagements when the late monarch died.
It has since been reported the Duke is toning down his tell-all memoir at the 11th-hour.
Meanwhile, there have also been reports that the couple want to make edits to their Netflix show which could push back the release to next year.
Ms Elser said that despite quitting royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have continued to follow the "tried and true royal playbook" by carrying out "quasi-official engagements" and "grandly putting out photos of themselves".
Writing for news.com.au, Ms Elser said: "Tuesday’s Misan Harriman images are truly beautiful but the question I am left with is, just what are Harry and Meghan trying to prove?
"For two people so willing to criticise The Firm when a microphone is nearby, in the years since their exit, they have remained oddly committed to sticking to the tried and true royal playbook.
"Despite having left the strictures of The Firm behind for a new free life where they can do whatever they fancy, Harry and Meghan’s quasi-official engagements make it look like they are trying to replicate their royal lives, a practice which extends to them grandly putting out photos of themselves as though they were heads of state and not two podcasters with the same official status as the members of Little Mix."
