Meghan and Harry are desperately trying to be a RIVAL royal family to save their image – US tours are next, expert says

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are desperately trying to be rivals to the royal family to save their image, a royal expert has claimed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have just returned to the US after a three-day tour of Nigeria.

The Sussexes kicked off their "faux-Royal tour" with a visit to Lightway Academy, a primary and secondary school in the capital.

They then visited Nigeria's defence HQ on Friday to meet military wives and senior officals.

The following day Harry was snapped playing volleyball, before Meghan referred to Nigeria as "my country".

Many royal fans were quick to point out the similarities between their trip and an official royal tour.

And now a royal expert says he believes "an alternative royal family is emerging".

Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive show with Matt Wilkinson, Gareth Russell said: "To all intents and purposes that is a real possibility.

"The problem for the Sussexes is that once you start doing anything like that, people become a lot more critical of what you do outside that - like commercial endeavours or quasi-royal tours.

"People will put them under more of a microscope because they're calling it 'The Office of Harry and Meghan'. 

"It's interesting. I wonder is it part of a plan to pivot from some harsh headlines they've had in the last year or two?

"Is it maybe a slightly more social conservative direction and have themselves as royals in exile for want of a better word?

"I wonder is that them acting on advice that people don't want to hear them criticising the royal family."

Mr Russell now believes Harry and Meghan could be plotting more 'faux-royal tours' - including of the US. 

He explained: "Their popularity at the moment is pretty low in America but that could change.

"Public opinion is always a bit of a rollarcoaster.

"But they absolutely could (go on a US tour) and there's indications that they will."

While Harry and Meghan were in Nigeria they unveiled a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the non-profit Giants of Africa, which aims to empower young people through sport.

But in the hours that followed the charity hit headlines after it was reportedly declared "delinquent" and ordered to stop raising money.

It was alleged the charity did not file its 2022 tax return or related costs on time.

However, the docs were filed and the cheque sent but it never arrived, reported The Telegraph.

The Sussexes' charity on Tuesday night broke its silence on the alleged cash woes saying it is "fully compliant".

A spokesperson said: "We have diligently investigated the situation and can confirm that The Archewell Foundation remains fully compliant and in good standing.

"Due payments were made promptly and in accordance with the IRS’s processes and procedures.

"Furthermore, all necessary paperwork had been filed by the Foundation without error or wrongdoing."

And in a new statement on Tuesday night, California's Department of Justice confirmed the charity is "current and in good standing".

A spokesperson said: "After being in touch with our Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, the organisation is current and in good standing."

As the couple left Nigeria they expressed their "deepest gratitude" for the communities' "tremendous hospitality".