Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could face rocky times ahead for their marriage if the Duke of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍 loses his royal status and title.

The royal couple, who married in 2018 and share two children, have faced difficulties since they decided to step down as working royals in 2020. The couple, who now reside in Montecito, California have tried to build a lucrative brand in the US with deals with brands such as Netflix and Spotify, but are now seen to be failing to keep the interest of America.

A royal expert has now claimed that losing their royal status “will damage brand Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍”, and could mean “there is a chance Meghan may also lose interest” in her husband. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, royal expert and author Tom Quinn said: “Harry and Meghan are beginning to worry that if their children don’t have a relationship with the UK and by extension with the Royal family they will damage brand Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍. Surveys already show that America is losing interest in the couple and they both know that Harry’s only real selling point, his only real brand value, is that he’s a Royal so he knows he’s going to have to build bridges with the working royals or America will lose interest in him and if America loses interest there is a chance Meghan may also lose interest in him.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wed in 2018 in Windsor, before later stepping down from the royal family in 2020 ( Image: Getty Images)

Quinn added: “Being a Royal is the only thing he’s been trained to do, so he needs to maintain some kind of connection with his family in order to maintain his credibility as a royal.” Last month saw a rocky time for the couple after the Duke suffered a defeat in his case against the UK Home Office. Harry had been trying to overturn a ruling which saw his security status downgraded after he stopped being a “working royal”, as he cited concerns over his safety and that of his wife and two young children.

A royal expert believes Meghan could ‘lose interest’ in her husband Prince Harry if he loses his royal status ( Image: Getty Images)

Following High Court ruling, details of Harry’s case have been made public – including his fears for his family when he visits Britain. Much of the legal proceedings surrounding the case, which covered security arrangements for senior figures, were held in private in December, with the ruling issued by retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane on Wednesday morning.

In the ruling, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected the Duke’s case and concluded Ravec’s approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair. Sir Peter said Harry’s lawyers had taken “an inappropriate, formalist interpretation of the Ravec process”. The Duke’s lawyers said he was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” by the body. Hours after the announcement, the Duke revealed he plans to appeal the decision.