Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are "attempting to recapture their royal status" by visiting African countries, US Journalist Lee Cohen has claimed.
The pair last month travelled to Nigeria for a three-day trip which critics have branded 'quasi-royal'.
Cohen dubbed the move "fake" and "transparent" in an interview with GBN America.
He said: "The royal tour was nothing more than an attempt to recapture the status that they gave up by stepping back in 2020.
"The couple have been widely mocked for these kinds of behaviours. So, I would add, that they have no substantive credentials to make quasi-royal appearances or diplomatic visits to foreign nations.
"They are selling jam and making fake royal tours to transparently promote themselves and this would do nothing to provide the pair the official qualifications they rejected years ago."
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Meghan spoke in glowing terms about her trip to Nigeria, telling People Magazine: “It was such warm hospitality and it was a really meaningful trip. It was incredibly memorable and special.
"That alone is the best souvenir to take with us - all the memories we've made.”
The couple travelled without their two children, five-year-old Prince Archie and two-year-old Princess Lilibet.
It has since been reported that this may not be an isolated trip and the pair are pondering visits to other African countries such as Ghana.
According to the Mirror, insiders say the country's leading bigwigs and artistic influencers are keen for the Sussexes to fly to Accra, the capital of Ghana that holds a special place in the heart of Harry's late Grandmother Queen Elizabeth II after she made two memorable trips to the African nation during her reign.
A source told the outlet: "There is already a lot of talk and excitement in Ghana, everyone is so keen for Harry and Meghan to come and experience the great culture and warmth.
"Several top names have already visited Ghana in recent years from Ed Sheeran, Naomi Campbell and One Direction's Liam Payne. Idris Elba, who DJ'd at Harry and Meghan's wedding is a regular too, he is part-Ghanaian and loves spending time 'back home.'"
Following the trip, Prince Harry told People that he hoped there were more visits like this in the future.
The prince said: “It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support and positive change.
"Whether it's the Archewell Foundation, Invictus or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work."
The duke continued: “I’m so happy with the growth of Invictus and to include Nigeria.
“You know what Africa means to me over the years. It is a very, very special place, and to be able to include Nigeria now [in Invictus], I’m very happy.”
