Emily Andrew questions the Sussexes’ approach to royal work and public service.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced sharp criticism from royal commentator Emily Andrew, who accused them of wanting royal recognition without taking on the routine duties that come with it.
Writing for Woman & Home, Andrew described the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as “fake royals” following their recent return to the UK after six years in America.
She argued that working royals accept the responsibilities of their position, while the Sussexes object, through comments attributed to their friends, to suggestions that they no longer qualify as royals who work.
Andrew also questioned their commercial activities, pointing to the promotion of £112 Advent calendars and holiday gifts on Instagram.
In her view, royal duty means attending events consistently, whether they involve national remembrance, formal occasions or ordinary community visits. She cited commemorations of the Aberfan disaster, Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph, state banquets supporting the King and factory visits in places such as Scunthorpe.
Andrew suggested that Harry and Meghan want to avoid less glamorous engagements, particularly those arranged by Buckingham Palace that may hold little personal interest for them. Her comments reflect her assessment of the couple’s motives.
Harry and Meghan stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020 and moved abroad with their son, Prince Archie. They later aired their grievances in television interviews and accused the Royal Family of racism concerning their son.
The couple now live in California, where they welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet.
