A royal expert has warned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming “royal tour” of Nigeria later this month could backfire and create a diplomatic incident.

Royal author Phil Dampier believes Harry and Meghan are at risk of doing more harm than good during their visit to the African nation later this month by confusing the public that they are there to represent the monarchy.

The author also labelled the visit “ironic” given the couple’s past criticism of the Commonwealth and decision to “step back” from royal life to earn money working in the United States.

“It’s ironic that the late Queen wanted Harry and Meghan to very much be her ambassadors throughout the Commonwealth and spread goodwill among its fifty or so nations, but they didn’t want to do it as royals,” he told the Daily Mail on Wednesday.

“Now they are happy to pick and choose invitations they receive from these countries.”

Meghan and Harry revealed the upcoming Nigerian trip earlier this week after the Sussexes first met members of the country’s defence ministry at the Invictus Games in Germany last year.

Mr Dampier also accused the Sussexes of setting up a “rival court” by accepting an invite to tour Nigeria despite no longer working as representatives of the royal family.

“They are in effect trying to set up a rival court, their own royal roadshow, and I think people can see through it,” he said.

The expert claimed the Duke and Duchess are using “their royal connections” for unofficial visits that could “blunder into a diplomatic incident” if they do something wrong.

Royal author Tom Bower agreed and suggested Harry and Meghan are “playing the royal card” by embarking on a mock tour of Nigeria as private citizens.

“Once again, the ‘privacy-seeking’ couple are exploiting the family they have outrageously denounced to pump up their publicity,” he told the same outlet.

Mr Bower also slammed the couple, who are worth a joint $100 million, for allowing the Nigerian government to finance the tour.

As of 2023, nearly two thirds of Nigerians survived on less than $1.90 USD per day.

“Undoubtedly, the trip will be financed by the Nigerian government,” he said.

“Their motives, as members of the Commonwealth, remain obscure.”