Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's 'Montecito court' slammed as 'desperate bid'

and 's "Montecito court" has been slammed by a royal expert as "desperate". The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly restructured their staff to resemble the royal household.

According to the , they will each have their own chief of staff and Harry will be launching his own commercial venture similar to his wife's As Ever lifestyle brand. This is reportedly being done to help revamp their reputations, previously having relied on informal advisors rather than using the time-tested ways of the . Royal expert Tom Bower criticised the change, saying it does not resemble the Royal's method, but rather acts as the couple's "final, desperate bid to save their brand".

After the Duke and Duchess stepped down as senior royals in 2020, they decided to make a series of bombshell claims against the Firm, which some have argued have damaged their brand and public image.

Speaking to , Mr Bower said: "Undoubtedly, the Sussexes would like to rule over a 'royal court' from their Montecito mansion.

"Nothing would give them greater pleasure than courtiers pulling their forelocks as they bow and scrape to please the Duke and Duchess." However, he added, the team the Sussexes are relying upon is not "a royal court".

He added: "Rather, it's a hugely expensive group of bureaucrats signalling the Sussexes' final, desperate bid to save their brand."

Mr Bower also issued a warning to Prince Harry, adding: "If Harry follows Meghan to commercialise his title to earn some dollars then his currently minimal chance of reconciliation and return to Britain will be totally extinguished."

The Duchess of Sussex launched her lifestyle brand As Ever in April, a few days after debuting with her cooking and hosting Netflix series With Love, Meghan. The California-born royal has so far appeared more keen to embrace the commercial freedom the couple obtained by stepping back from their senior roles in the Firm than the Duke of Sussex, who has seemingly focused his attention over the past years on his charitable endeavours.

A spokesman for the couple said on Saturday: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have retained the support of Method Communications to support their growing business portfolio and philanthropic interests. Serving as an extension of the Sussex communications team, led by chief communications officer Meredith Maines."