Meghan Markle and Prince Harry can use Prince Andrew scandal to escape the royal ‘circus’, says biographer
A ROYAL expert has claimed that the Prince Andrew scandal could prove something of a silver lining for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Prince Charles' biographer Robert Jobson has suggested that the Queen's son being stripped of royal duties and forced into early retirement has given the Duke and Duchess of Sussex an opportunity to escape the "circus".
Speaking on the podcast, the author explained how he believes the upside of Andrew, 59, stepping down following the Epstein furore is that it has paved the way for Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, to set their own rules.
"I think with a member of the royal family being effectively retired early, should Harry and Meghan not wish they be part of whole circus... there’s almost a path for them now," he said.
"If they said to Charles when he’s king, 'Look we don’t really see ourselves in this type of role, we wanted a different type of role,' I think he’d be flexible to that."
Jobson continued: "There’s no pressure for them now...In terms of defining who they are and what they want to be if they want to spend half their time in America or somewhere else, I don't see that as an issue."
Of how Prince Charles, 71, will run things when he accedes to the throne, the expert added: "[He]will try to focus on Prince William's family...but what that means for Prince Harry and Meghan, I don't know.
"I think Prince Charles would be flexible because the core focus would be on William and his family, and Meghan and Harry are further down the totem pole."
The Duke and Duchess are currently on an extended break abroad with baby son Archie, and missed the Queen's Christmas parties this week.
It has been claimed they are using a six-week period based in the US to plan the American launch of their Sussex Royal Foundation.
Previous reports have suggested the couple are keen to move abroad - with Meghan's homeland a top contender.
However a royal expert has suggested the move would "devastate" Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 37.
Phil Dampier, a royal commentator, told the : “It would be a disaster if Harry and Meghan quit and lived abroad – William and Kate would be devastated.
“Behind the scenes I’m told Kate is doing her best to bring everyone together and help Meghan.
“None of them want to let the Queen down so Kate is trying to patch things up in private.”
Most read in Celebrity
In other royal news, we told you how Meghan and Kate Middleton are under pressure to "save" the royal family.
We also revealed that Andrew attended the palace Christmas party despite being stripped of duties.
And the Queen gives staff a Christmas pudding from Tesco every year.