Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been developing a new brand for themselves since living in the United States. But one royal expert doesn’t think the two come across as ‘authentic.’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been living a separate life from the royal family since they stepped down from royal duties back in 2020. The Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es currently live in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and they have been tackling all kinds of business ventures in their new lives. Meghan is developing a lifestyle brand while Harry is focusing on his Invictus Games Foundation and other philanthropic work.

Still, not everyone is sold on Meghan and Harry’s outward appearance, with one expert slamming the couple for being “fake.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation/Getty ImagesPrince Harry and Meghan Markle slammed for being ‘fake’ after recent Colombia tour

Harry and Meghan left royal duties in order to live a life that was more on their own terms. However, in 2024, the two have embarked on two overseas trips that have had all the makings of royal tours. The couple visited Nigeria in May and Colombia in August, and both visits received major comparisons to royal tours. Some have suggested the two are using the trips a way to build their reputation and reveal more of their personalities to the public eye, and others are still branding the couple as “fake.”

Royal author Robert Jobson called Harry and Meghan “fake” while speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, according to Express. He added, “At the end of the day, what I don’t understand is if Meghan and Harry wanted to do ‘quasi-royal tours’ why not stick around and do it properly?” Jobson said, referring to performing royal duties on behalf of the monarchy. He then added that the two need to figure out a better way to get their branding across. “I think they need to work out what they want to do. They don’t come across as particularly authentic.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still working to build their brand

So much of a person’s brand is dependent on the way they carry themselves. Harry and Meghan always look professional, elegant, and put together during public appearances, but what has impacted them most has been their harsh words about the royal family. Whether they like it or not, the royal family is adored globally by many, and being on horrible terms with them won’t help the duke and duchess win over any fans who support Prince William and Kate Middleton.

It seems that a reconciliation is unlikely, which could explain why Harry and Meghan are working to build their brand in other ways and finding themselves in the public eye a bit more. Of course, while the tours have allowed the two to put themselves in the spotlight, it seems there is still some work to be done for them to create reputations that will benefit their business ventures.