EXCLUSIVE: A royal expert in the US says it is “very sad” how Meghan and Harry left the Royal Family to pursue their own projects.

Meghan faces a ‘very sad’ reality, an expert says (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle is now a “laughing stock” in the US because she ditched the Royal Family for “making jam”, a royal expert has said.

In 2020, the Duchess of Sussex and her husband Prince Harry stepped down as senior working members of the Royal Family, before eventually relocating and settling in Montecito, California.

Since then, relations between the couple and the royals have been fractured, with the Harry and Meghan making claims against them in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, before the Duke made further claims in his January 2023 memoir, Spare.

Harry and Meghan have used their independence to pursue a variety of ventures and projects.

US-based royal commentator Hilary Fordwich told Daily Express US Meghan’s latest project – lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard – has not been well received in the country.

Meghan released her jam last month (Image: Tracey Robbins/Instagram)

She claimed the new venture represents a massive downgrade from what Harry and Meghan could have achieved with the royals.

The expert said: “I know that Meghan has become a laughing stock with her jam. I think it is very sad.

Harry and Meghan could have done so much for the Commonwealth. Harry could have been something of a joint King, meeting global leaders with Meghan. Now she is making jam.

Fordwich continued: “There is nowhere in the media that has said ‘this is a great step!’ Americans are very career-conscious. You are judged by where your CV is going. Your trajectory weighs heavily.

“This also raises the question of where is Harry now if all she is doing is making jam?”

Meghan recently released a new jam as part of her new brand launch, promoting via influencers’ Instagram pages.

Harry is in the UK this week (Image: Getty)

Last month, Meghan sent 50 jars of her new jam to influencers, including fashion designer Tracy Robbins and Argentine socialite Delfina Balquier.

Earlier this week, the former actress did not travel to the UK with Harry when he returned to his home country for an Invictus Games event.

Despite hopes of a reconciliation with his King Charles III, the Duke of Sussex didn’t meet with his father during his stay.

A spokesperson for Harry said: “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

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