Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are ripping up the royal etiquette rulebook by inviting well-wishers to call them by their first names and NOT bowing during Africa tour, royal expert claims

, a source revealed the royal couple want to meet as many South Africans as possible during the tour to "get their popularity back on track".

Although security will remain watertight - especially when baby Archie Harrison is involved -  the expert claims Meghan and Harry want to engage with local people in a relaxed manner.

A source said: "It's very much how they want things done. There is no protocol that says you have to bow or curtsy when you meet them, it's really up to the individual."

The publication also reports Meghan and Harry are happy to be addressed by their first names when meeting local people and have already been pictured hugging, dancing and laughing with locals at their first engagement in Cape Town.

However, this laid-back approach has left officials who are scheduled to meet the Duke and Duchess unsure of how to interact with them.

Ahead of her meeting with the couple later this week, Jacky Poking - a secretary of the Bo-Kaap Civic & Ratepayers Association - told the Sunday Times: "We haven't received any official brief on etiquette.

"I think it's because the Sussexes want to keep it informal. I don't even know how to greet them."

That said, the royal expert claims members of the public are encouraged to interact with the couple on a personal level - by using their first names and not bowing - while those attending formal engagements will still address them as "Your Royal Highness".

Earlier this month, a royal expert claimed "modern" Meghan chooses to channel Princess Diana by hugging members of the public while Kate Middleton prefers to mirror Prince William's more formal approach.