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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are treating life like a 'prom event' as the couple attempt to break into the world of showbusiness with their new and glamorous California life, a royal expert told Palace Confidential.
Charlotte Griffiths, editor-at-large for the Mail on Sunday, told the Mail+'s weekly talk show that the Montecito-based Duke and Duchess of Sussex are treating life 'like a red carpet event'.
The panel discussed the growing backlash over the decision to give Prince Harry the memorial award set up in the name of Pat Tillman, an American football star who gave up a £3million contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11.
He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed by friendly fire in 2004.
Pat's mother Mary said she was 'shocked' and was not consulted about the decision to award the Duke of Sussex with the prestigious gong.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Intrepid Museum Annual Salute To Freedom Gala in 2021
Charlotte Griffiths, the Editor at Large for the Mail on Sunday, told the Mail+'s weekly talk show that the Montecito-based Duke and Duchess of Sussex are treating life 'like a red carpet event'
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She said there were 'recipients that are far more fitting' who 'do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has'.
Host Jo Elvin asked Charlotte whether the Sussexes were being 'tin-eared' to the criticism they've faced over the past week.
Charlotte responded: 'I get the impression that life for Meghan Markle at the moment is a sort of prom event and [Harry] is the prom king and she's the prom king and she's setting up all these events over the years that they can attend together.
'Although at the Living Legends of Aviation one, she actually didn't turn up with him because a similar controversy had happened before the event and then she didn't go with him.
'I'll be very interested to see if this time next week she goes with him. Serena Williams, her great friend, is presenting the award so she may well attend.
'Life isn't a red carpet event for them to show off their brand, there are some very serious events out there and they are being tin-eared.'
Ever since they left the Royal Family for America, the Sussexes have been living the California lifestyle, walking on red carpets, going to film premieres, accepting awards and making more content for Netflix.
Meghan told Variety was 'thrilled' to have returned to the entertainment industry last November during a red carpet of the Variety Power of Women event in LA.
Ever since they left the Royal Family for America, the Sussexes have been living the California lifestyle, walking on red carpets, accepting awards and making more content for Netflix. Above: Harry and Meghan are pictured with Brian Robbins and Tracy James
Meghan told Variety was 'thrilled' to have returned to the entertainment industry last November during a red carpet of the Variety Power of Women event in LA (pictured at the event)
The former Suits actress has spent the past couple of months soft-launching her new brand, American Riviera Orchard, and sent jars of her strawberry jam to A-listers such as Chrissy Teigen and Mindy Kaling.
Her mother Doria Ragland is also getting involved in the star-studded action, as she was pictured getting friendly with Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles and Kris Jenner.
And it appears Meghan has always wanted to be in the inner circle, as it was claimed that the Duchess of Sussex told a PR firm in 2019 that she wanted to 'break the internet'.
Speaking to The Sun a source said: 'She was incredibly hands-on with the strategy and in one meeting told the staff: 'I want to break the internet.'
Rebecca English, Royal Editor at the Daily Mail spoke on Palace Confidential about how different their lifestyle is to that of The Firm.
Doria has previously been spotted at events with other high-profile guests, including Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian (pictured at This Is About Humanity charity gala last August)
Rebecca English, Royal Editor at the Daily Mail spoke on Palace Confidential about how different their lifestyle is to that of The Firm
Charlotte Griffiths, Rebecca English, Richard Eden and Jo Elvin discuss Harry and Meghan on Palace Confidential
She said: 'You very rarely see a member of the Royal Family getting an award for something they have done. There have been joking ones over the years, maybe the King or the Prince of Wales have accepted one environmental award.
'But you don't [often see it] because they consider public service to be an award in itself.
'Obviously Harry and Meghan now, I think maybe as you said Jo, are a part of that showbiz celebrity lifestyle, where part of their lifeblood is to get another award and it just shows you how different their lives are to what they would've had in the UK.'
Charlotte added that Harry has been put forward for the Pat Tillman award based on work he did when he was in the army between 2005 and 2015.
'I think that's why it's so jarring, because it's not new work, this is old work. I mean this is also a celebration of his time in the army but that was a long time ago now and it feels like he needs something new,' she said.
