Duncan Larcombe told the Mirror US that there is “no doubt” the Royal Family is going through one of their biggest crises since the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. He said: “Meghan will be aware of how upset Harry is by what’s happened, and that it’s a difficult time for the Royal Family.”

Mr Larcombe added: “But in a way she’ll probably be pleased Harry has stayed out of it. She’ll be wary of guilt by association. I’m sure she’s telling him ‘don’t get involved, the Royal Family is in a crisis, don’t drag us into this’.”

His comments come as pressure continues to mount on the former Duke of York. Former business secretary Sir Vince Cable said on Sunday that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s time as a trade envoy should be investigated for possible corruption. Emails released as part of the Epstein files earlier this month appear to show Andrew – who served as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011 – sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

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