Prince Harry will be known as ‘the bloke who used to be in the Royal Family’, expert claims
PRINCE Harry is destined to become known as "the bloke who used to be in the Royal Family", an expert has claimed.
Royal author Stephen Bates thinks Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's "celebrity" status is not sustainable in the long term now that they have "stepped back" as senior royals.
In an interview with , the author of Royalty Inc: Britain's Best-Known Brand insisted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will still have to answer to the Royal Family - despite their shock move to Canada.
He argued: "Their association, via their name, is chiefly what they have. All this stuff about huge marketing opportunities and people talking up 'their brand' and how much it will earn them...
"Obviously their celebrity will carry them so far - but in a year or two's time, what are they going to do?"
Since their shock decision was announced earlier this month, Meghan Markle has signed a voiceover deal with Disney in return for a donation to be made to the wildlife charity Elephants Without Borders.
Last week, footage emerged of Netflix's chief content officer Ted Sarandos saying he would be interested in working with the couple in future.
At the Lion King premiere in London last summer, an awkward clip showed Harry telling director Jon Favreau how he and Meghan would "make themselves available" for voiceovers.
The expert added: "I can see a lot of parties with Harry standing in the corner and people saying, 'there's the bloke who used to be in the Royal Family.'"
Social media expert Sara Flanagan also told the publication that Harry and Meghan could be paid hundreds of thousands for sponsored Instagram posts.
The couple's attempt to trademark their Sussex Royal brand has been blocked after a complaint from an Australian doctor.
The pair are keen to use the name to launch their foundation and make money from branded goods including hoodies and postcards.
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess' official royal wedding china has also disappeared from the Royal Collection's online shop while other vendors have been spotted flogging Meghan and Harry-themed merchandise on the cheap since the pair quit the Royal Family.
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And "Meghan needed to learn to let Harry lead, like Kate does with William", Princess Margaret's lady-in-waiting has said.
Plus Prince William and Kate Middleton are "still reeling" from Harry and Meghan's decision to quit, a royal expert has claimed.