The Duke and Duchess of Sussex famously departed the British Royal Family in 2020, with it now claimed that there is only interest in them because of their former royal status

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle only have “phenomenal public interest” because of their former royal status, it has been claimed by an esteemed royal commentator.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex famously departed the British Royal Family in 2020. At the time, the couple released a statement that read: “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”

Since stepping down as senior working royals, the couple relocated from their home in Windsor, England, to Montecito, California in the United States. The couple have resided in their lavish mansion in Santa Barbra.

The Sussexes stepped back from their roles in 2020 (Image:PA Wire/PA Images)

Gradually stepping away from the Royal Family, the couple seemingly detached themselves from the monarchy as much as possible, but now an expert has claimed that “the reason there is such phenomenal interest” in the couple is because of their link to the Royal Family.

During the week, Harry and Meghan attended a ceremony in Los Angeles where the Duke of Sussex received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, awarded by sports channel ESPN to individuals in the sporting world who have made significant contributions to the lives of others. Harry was awarded the gong for founding the Invictus Games a decade ago to support injured and sick servicemen and women.

When accepting his award, Harry gave a speech, with an expert now saying it was “rather wooden” as he tried to detach himself even more from his royal links. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: “Harry’s speech was rather wooden. The part beginning ‘I stand here, not as Prince Harry…’, sounded very forced as if he hadn’t been for his work as a Prince he wouldn’t have got the Award.

“Invictus, a splendid creation, was started, as Sentebale in Lesotho and his connection to WellChild was, when he was a senior member of the royal family.”

Mr Fitzwilliams then said: “In Spare [the Duke’s 2023 book], he frequently appears hostile to royal life, yet it is only the reason there is such phenomenal interest in him and in Meghan.”

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