PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are desperately trying to be rivals to the royal family to save their image, a royal expert has claimed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have just returned to the US after a three-day tour of Nigeria.

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Prince Harry and Meghan attend a polo fundraiser event in Lagos, NigeriaCredit: Reuters

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King Charles meets with the cast of a special Gala performanceCredit: Reuters

Royal expert Gareth Russell believes ‘an alternative royal family is emerging’Credit: The Sun

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomed the Duchess of Sussex on SundayCredit: AFP
The Sussexes kicked off their “faux-Royal tour” with a visit to Lightway Academy, a primary and secondary school in the capital.

They then visited Nigeria’s defence HQ on Friday to meet military wives and senior officals.

The following day Harry was snapped playing volleyball, before Meghan referred to Nigeria as “my country”.

Many royal fans were quick to point out the similarities between their trip and an official royal tour.

And now a royal expert says he believes “an alternative royal family is emerging”.

Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show with Matt Wilkinson, Gareth Russell said: “To all intents and purposes that is a real possibility.

“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.

“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?

“Is it maybe a slightly more social conservative direction and have themselves as royals in exile for want of a better word?

Meghan calls Nigeria ‘my country’ after arriving HOUR late to talk as pals reveal Harry ‘deeply stung’ by King snub
“I wonder is that them acting on advice that people don’t want to hear them criticising the royal family.”

Mr Russell now believes Harry and Meghan could be plotting more ‘faux-royal tours’ – including of the US.

He explained: “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.”

While Harry and Meghan were in Nigeria they unveiled a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the non-profit Giants of Africa, which aims to empower young people through sport.

MEGXIT TERMS

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced on January 8, 2020, they would be stepping down as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family.

On January 18 it was announced that Harry and Meghan would “no longer be working members of Britain’s Royal Family”, and would not use their “Royal Highness” titles.

A Palace spokeswoman said the couple would no longer receive public money and that they would repay the £2.4million cost of refurbishing their cottage — Frogmore — in Windsor, Berks.

The following day, Harry said in a heartfelt speech: “Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.”

The Duke of Sussex said he had found the “love and happiness I had hoped for all my life” with Meghan.

But in the hours that followed the charity hit headlines after it was reportedly declared “delinquent” and ordered to stop raising money.

It was alleged the charity did not file its 2022 tax return or related costs on time.

However, the docs were filed and the cheque sent but it never arrived, reported The Telegraph.

The Sussexes’ charity on Tuesday night broke its silence on the alleged cash woes saying it is “fully compliant”.

A spokesperson said: “We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing.

“Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRS’s processes and procedures.

“Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing.”

And in a new statement on Tuesday night, California’s Department of Justice confirmed the charity is “current and in good standing”.

A spokesperson said: “After being in touch with our Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, the organisation is current and in good standing.”

As the couple left Nigeria they expressed their “deepest gratitude” for the communities’ “tremendous hospitality”.

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Harry beamed as he met youngsters at Giants of Africa at Ilupeju Senior Grammar SchoolCredit: Getty

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The statement released by the Sussexes on their three-day tourCredit: sussex.com

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Harry and Meghan pose for a photo as they attend the programme held in the Armed Forces Complex in AbujaCredit: Getty

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The royal couple arrive at the State Governor House in Lagos