Prince Harry, Meghan Markle accused of staging 'royal theatre' as King Charles faces new dilemma: expert - Fox News

Hugo Vickers, author of "Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History," details how the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs exit and Oprah interview added strain during the late monarch's final years.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being accused of playing royals on their own terms — and sidestepping the late Queen Elizabeth II's wishes in the process.

On Oct. 15, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Nottingham for their first joint public appearance since returning to the U.K., Fox News Digital confirmed. The city holds special significance for the couple, as it was the first place they visited after announcing their engagement in November 2017.

Kinsey Schofield, host of the YouTube show "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," told Fox News Digital that, based on her sources, "there is frustration" inside Buckingham Palace as Harry and Meghan prepare to visit several charities in a manner resembling an official royal engagement.

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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a visit with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex to Nottingham on Oct. 15, 2026, in Nottingham, England. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Terrence Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair at Nottingham Contemporary on Dec. 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England. The couple returned to the city on Oct. 15, 2026. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

"Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the royal family," Schofield said. " King Charles recently reminded his government that the Sussexes are private citizens. The Sussexes appear increasingly determined to recreate the optics of royal life without the responsibilities that come with it. … The charitable visits, the appearances, the photographers. It’s royal theatre without royal authority."

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at Himmah Hub, which provides meals and a welcoming space for people experiencing financial hardship or isolation, during a visit to Nottingham on Oct. 15, 2026, in Nottingham, England. (Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images)

"Royal engagements aren't just photo-ops," Schofield said. "There's diplomacy involved. There's soft power. Working royals represent the sovereign, strengthen relationships and serve the interests of the country. Harry and Meghan appear more interested in faking the image of royalty than embracing its purpose. They can imitate the engagement, but they can't replicate the authority or constitutional significance."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gesture during a visit to Nottingham Academy in Nottingham, central England, on Dec. 1, 2017. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"They are pushing to reclaim the spotlight they left behind," British broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. "It's definitely a reboot — a pseudo royal reboot."

WATCH: PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE CAUSED QUEEN STRESS IN FINAL YEARS: AUTHOR

In January 2020, Queen Elizabeth II drew a firm line at the Sandringham Summit: There would be no "half in, half out" role for the Sussexes. They couldn't remain working members of the royal family while pursuing independent, income-generating ventures. The couple stepped back from royal duties that year, citing intrusive coverage by the British press and a lack of support from the palace.

From left: Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, watch a flypast marking the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London on July 10, 2018. (Getty Images)

"Following conversations with the duke, the queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the royal family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service," Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Feb. 19, 2021.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex during a visit to Himmah Hub during their visit to Nottingham on Oct. 15, 2026, in Nottingham, England. (Annabel Lee-Ellis - Pool/Getty Images)

In response, the couple issued a statement of their own, saying: "We can all live a life of service. Service is universal."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to the U.K. six years after leaving for California. (Getty Images)