Phil Dampier said on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show the Sussexes should “try to build some bridges” after criticising the royals.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry need to start ‘building bridges’, according to royal author Phil DampierCredit: AP

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The royal expert claims the couple need to stop ‘slagging off the royal family’Credit: AP
The author shared: “They’ve got new PR people and if they listen to their PR people – sometimes people don’t listen to their PR people – but if they listen to their PR people, I’m sure they’re telling them that right, you’ve made your point, you’ve had Spare, you’ve had Netflix, you’ve had the Oprah Winfrey interview, you’ve got it all off your chest.

“Now’s the time to row back a bit and try and try and build some bridges or at least create a life for yourself.”

Phil, who is the author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan in their own words, claims the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s recent three-day Nigeria tour was a way for them to try to achieve that.

He added: “Obviously the Nigeria trip they were trying to do that, the jury’s out as to whether that was a good idea.

“I mean, some people call it a sort of ‘quasi’ Royal Tour and I’m not sure that the palace would have been particularly happy about it.

“But we can’t stop them doing these things if they want to.

“But it’s now time for them to focus on positive things and not just keep slagging off the royal family.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 and have since relocated to California.

Following leaving royal duties behind four years ago, the couple have made a number of accusations against the Royal Family, including in their Netflix docuseries.

Meanwhile, in Prince Harry’s bombshell Spare memoir, he made a number of claims, including how William allegedly branded Meghan “rude” and “difficult” during a row at his then residence on the grounds of Kensington Palace, Nottingham Cottage.

Harry and William haven’t been seen together in years after their rift.

Recently, Prince Harry visited the UK for a three-day trip and didn’t see King Charles or Prince William.

A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said the reason for him not seeing King Charles was due to the monarch’s schedule.

They said: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

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Royal author Phil Dampier spoke to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson for our Royal Exclusive showCredit: THE SUN

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The Sussexes criticised the royals in their Spare memoir and in their Netflix documentaryCredit: Getty

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Prince Harry visited the UK last month and didn’t meet up with Charles or WilliamCredit: Alamy

Megxit timeline

November 2016 – Harry formally reveals he is in a relationship with Suits actress Meghan Markle.
September 2017 – Meghan tells Vanity Fair the couple are in love and happy together.
September 2017 – The couple make their first public appearance together holding hands at the Invictus Games in Toronto.
November 2017 – Prince Charles issues a statement revealing Harry and Meghan are engaged.
May 2018 – Harry and Meghan tie the knot, becoming Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
October 2018 – The couple announce they are expecting their first child while on their first overseas tour in Australia.
March 2019 – Harry and Meghan set up their own household, splitting their joint operation with Prince William and Kate.
May 2019 – Meghan gives birth to a baby boy named Archie.
October 2019 – Harry reveals his rift with his brother William in a bombshell documentary.
January 2020 –  The couple stun the Queen by announcing plans to quit senior roles and settle in North America. After ten days of talks at Sandringham,  it’s agreed the couple will no longer be working royals and will give up their “Royal Highness” titles.
March 2020 – Harry and Meghan carry out their last official engagement and move to California.
September 2020 – Netflix announces a huge deal with the couple.
February 2021 – Buckingham Palace announces the couple’s split as working members of the monarchy is permanent and they will lose their royal patronages.
March 2021 – The palace says it is “very concerned” about allegations of bullying made by former staff of Harry and Meghan, launching a probe.
March 2021 – Meghan tells Oprah Winfrey Archie wasn’t made a prince after “concerns and conversations” about “how dark” his skin would be when he was born. She claims Kate “hurt her feelings” and made her cry before her wedding. Harry says Charles has stopped taking his calls and he has been “cut off” financially.
January 2023 – Harry publishes his tell-all memoir Spare, launching scathing attacks on William, Kate and Camilla. He says he and William once got into a physical fight over Meghan.
April 2023 – Harry has a “heart-to-heart” talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London.
September 2023 – Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
February 2024 – Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside. They meet for half an hour before Harry flies home. He does not meet William.

“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

The statement made no mention of Harry seeing Prince William.

Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter Lilibet turned three this week and has barely met her UK family, including her grandfather.

Phil said the birthday celebrations are tinged with an “underlying sadness” due to the “rift” that divides the family.

Phil added that it’s also “very sad” for Meghan’s father Thomas Markle, who reportedly has never met his grandkids or even son-in-law Prince Harry.