Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been praised for the timing of their “very successful” tour by a royal commentator.

In April, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex hired two new PR executives, Charlie Gipson, a former associate client director at Edelman, and Kyle Boulia, an ex-corporate communications manager at United Talent Agency.

Both executives report to Ashley Hansen, the Sussexes’ global press secretary.

Shortly after, Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, travelled to Nigeria for a three-day tour, despite stepping down as working royals in 2020.

Royal commentator Gareth Russell spoke exclusively to GB News, suggesting that the timing of the couple’s tour was “not a coincidence”.

He claimed: “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it comes so soon after their well-publicised hiring of two excellent PR executives.

“This is the kind of thing that they should be doing.

“So it does seem to me that this was a very successful tour all things considered, but there are there will always be people who are critical or sceptical of the Sussexes.”

Russell also pointed out there was some criticism directed towards the couple, despite the positive headlines.

He continued: “It is important to point out there were some Nigerian television channels who were critical of certain parts of the trip but broadly speaking it was a success for the Sussexes.

“It has, however, divided attention like many royal tours or in this case, tours with royalty in them, do over the years.

“One of the reasons why I think it’s being criticised is that it looks like a royal tour in all but name.

“And it seems to be something the Sussexes are doing which they had agreed they wouldn’t try to do once they stepped back.

“That being said, it’s entirely within the rights of the government of any country to invite whichever public figures they want to and to offer them a tour.

“I think broadly speaking, it has garnered positive headlines for them.”

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