Prince Harry, who is the Duke of Sussex, is currently locked in a battle to reinstate his and his family’s automatic security in the UK, normally granted to the working members of the royal family

Meghan Markle

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Meghan Markle is pictured in Melbourne in April(Image: PA)

Meghan Markle’s new partnership with an AI-driven shopping platform could jeopardise Prince Harry’s security battle, an expert has claimed.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, has agreed a deal with OneOff, which will allow her to earn a portion of profits of her outfits sold on the shopping platform. The majority of these are those Meghan wore during her tour of Australia, with Harry, last month, which divided opinion.

The collaboration will see the duchess, who married Harry in 2018, continue to pocket some of the profits of other garments she will wear on other “faux-royal tours” in other nations, such as the UK. However, Harry is currently locked in a battle to reinstate his and his family’s automatic security in the UK, and experts understand Meghan’s new link may impact this.

Stacy Schaverien, a royal journalist, said: “If Harry wins back the right to taxpayer-funded security for him and his family, how will that play out when he and Meghan visit the UK?

“Will Meghan use those visits — which might be filled with charity engagements — as an opportunity to generate income too, as she did with the couple’s Australian tour? If she does, critics would rightly question whether taxpayers should be footing the bill for security.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the monarchy in 2020(Image: AP)

Harry had challenged the High Court ruling, which had not been in his favour, and the matter is currently under review. Automatic security, funded by the taxpayer, is normally granted to the working members of the royal family but Harry and Meghan stepped away from the monarchy in 2020.

As a result, the couple were stripped of such privileges but, during their trip to Australia, they carried out charity events and engagements, much akin to a royal tour. It has led to speculation the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may be utilised again by The Firm, in “half-in, half-out” roles.

But Hello! Magazine reports how this could be challenging for Meghan, as she has agreed to the OneOff collaboration. This conflict comes at an untimely period for the couple, because the Invictus Games return to Harry’s home country next year. Later this year, Harry is set to visit Birmingham to help prepare for this.

Since leaving the Royal Family six years ago, Harry and Meghan have endeavoured into various income sources, including their deals with Netflix and Spotify. However, both of these have came to an abrupt end. The Duchess, though, is also currently growing her lifestyle brand, As Ever. Products continue to be a huge hit with her dedicated fans — and many have sold out in record time after their eagerly-anticipated release.