Just In: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ’embarrassed by latest backlash’ as duke and duchess ‘at a crossroads’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ‘need to think carefully about their next steps’, a source has claimed
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been “embarrassed by their latest backlash”, according to insiders, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are thought to be “at a crossroads”.

The parents of two have just returned to the US from their quasi-royal tour of Colombia, only three months after the couple visited Nigeria.

Meghan, 43, and Harry, 39, are now understood to be plotting their next move, as the couple really enjoys foreign visits.

An insider revealed: “Both Meghan and Harry are keen to do more of these tours as that’s what they love doing and what they enjoyed most about royal life.

“But they’ve been left embarrassed by this latest backlash, especially as they faced similar comments when they went to Nigeria.”

The duke and duchess stepped back from official royal duties in 2020 and settled in Montecito, California.

Many have criticised the couple’s foreign visits for trying to emulate official royal tours, which are usually done as representatives of a head of state to secure positive international relations.

However, Harry and Meghan visited both Nigeria and Colombia in a personal capacity after being invited by each country to raise awareness of various issues.

The source continued: “They want to help raise awareness of the issues some of these countries face and they know their profile can highlight that.

“They also know that these trips help elevate their status in Hollywood and in turn help their brand. They don’t want to stop doing them but are unsure of what to do next to win everyone over again.”

Meghan and Harry are each producing programmes for Netflix, and the duchess is even launching her own lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.

The insider continued to tell OK!: “Meghan and Harry are used to the criticism and backlash and try not to let it bother them.

“They have had to go through so much during their eight-year relationship and are certain nothing can break them.

“Whatever happens, they will support each other.

“Nobody thought they would survive leaving the royals and that the stress of uprooting their entire lives would take its toll.

“As well as Harry cutting off his family, Meghan only now speaks to her mother from her side and has nothing to do with her dad.

“But it’s made them stronger and they are prepared to fight for their marriage and the future for the sake of their family.

“It’s a testing time right now and they both feel at a crossroads, so they need to think carefully about their next steps.

“But one thing’s for sure, they will come out fighting.”