Prince Harry and Meghan Markle treating life in Montecito like a 'prom event', claims royal expert

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's transition to life in California has been met with scrutiny, with critics suggesting they are embracing a Hollywood lifestyle akin to a "prom event," according to insights shared on 'Palace Confidential'.

Charlotte Griffiths, editor-at-large for the Mail on Sunday, highlighted on Mail+'s talk show that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are approaching life in Montecito with a focus on glamorous events and high-profile appearances, akin to a continuous red carpet event.

She pointed out that despite controversies and criticisms, they continue to immerse themselves in public engagements and showbiz circles.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's California lifestyle criticized as a 'prom event'

The discussion also touched upon recent controversies, including Prince Harry receiving the Pat Tillman Award amidst backlash from Pat Tillman's mother, who expressed shock and disappointment over the decision.

The criticism revolves around whether the award was appropriately given considering other potential recipients who lack the couple's privileges and resources.

Host Jo Elvin questioned whether the Sussexes were heedless to the criticisms directed at them, to which Griffiths suggested they may be out of touch with the serious implications of their actions.

Griffiths responded: "I get the impression that life for Meghan Markle at the moment is a sort of prom event and [Harry] is the prom king and she's the prom king and she's setting up all these events over the years that they can attend together."

"Although at the Living Legends of Aviation one, she actually didn't turn up with him because a similar controversy had happened before the event and then she didn't go with him."

"I'll be very interested to see if this time next week she goes with him. Serena Williams, her great friend, is presenting the award so she may well attend."

"Life isn't a red carpet event for them to show off their brand, there are some very serious events out there and they are being tin-eared."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's life after royal family

Since departing the royal family for America, the Sussexes have embraced the California lifestyle, attending red carpets, film premieres, accepting awards, and producing content for Netflix.

Meghan expressed her excitement about returning to the entertainment industry last November at the red carpet of the Variety Power of Women event in Los Angeles.

The former 'Suits' actress has been quietly launching her new brand, American Riviera Orchard, in recent months. She even sent jars of her strawberry jam to A-listers like Chrissy Teigen and Mindy Kaling.

Rebecca English, royal editor at the Daily Mail, discussed on 'Palace Confidential' how Harry and Meghan's lifestyle differs significantly from that of the royal family.

She noted, "You very rarely see a member of the Royal Family getting an award for something they have done. There have been joking ones over the years, maybe the King or the Prince of Wales have accepted one environmental award. But you don't [often see it] because they consider public service to be an award in itself."

English highlighted the contrast in Harry and Meghan's lives, saying, "Obviously Harry and Meghan now, I think maybe as you said Jo, are a part of that showbiz celebrity lifestyle, where part of their lifeblood is to get another award and it just shows you how different their lives are to what they would've had in the UK."

Charlotte chimed in about Harry being nominated for the Pat Tillman Award based on his military service from 2005 to 2015.

"I think that's why it's so jarring, because it's not new work, this is old work. I mean this is also a celebration of his time in the army but that was a long time ago now and it feels like he needs something new," she said.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's celebrity lifestyle draws online criticism

The opinions about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's current lifestyle in California are clearly divided, reflecting a spectrum of views from critical to dismissive.

One commenter suggested, "I think Meghan would like very much to "surround themselves with Hollywood stars", but Hollywood is not buying them. They are seen precisely the way the Spotify executive defined them." Another user wrote, "They are so shallow to prefer a life of trying to get on the red carpet in Hollywood over what is really important such as real friends, a loving extended family and spending time with their kids while they are still small. Instead they yearn for attention, fame and admiration .. its not going to happen, we know too much about them."

Another user wrote, "I don't see them living the celebrity life out here in California. They are rarely seen any more. I would think Serena would be uncomfortable handing the award to Harry as this is a HUGE controversy out here. This couple are a laughingstock out here. It's funny that Meghan is supposed to be enamored with Beyonce, and Doria, too, because Meghan would have been so much more famous than the singer if Meghan had stayed in the RF."

"They are not surrounded by Hollywood stars, they'd love to be and I'm sure that's what they imagined when they flounced off to the US. But even Hollywood stars have standards and having seen what harry and Markle have done to their families and shown themselves to be self centred they are not getting invitations to the 'A' lister events." another user wrote.

"They're nothing if they can't be Royal, which they are not since they abdicated. They are just private citizens now and have no interest for anyone," a user said.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.