They’ve been at the wrong end of public criticism over recent months and it’s now even been claimed Harry and Meghan’s neighbours have been advised on how to act, should they see the royal couple around their newly-renovated Frogmore Cottage.
According to a report in The Sun, those living close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were ordered at a residents’ meeting not to talk to the new parents, ask to see baby Archie or even stroke their dogs should they bound over.
However, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told the publication the request had come from an “overly protective palace official” and Harry and Meghan had no involvement in the briefing.
Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan’s plan ‘to christen baby Archie in private’ revealed
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward has since commented on the issue, claiming it sounds as if the couple’s constant demands for privacy has confused palace officials, adding: [They] are second-guessing what they might want.”
“It’s odd because it’s just good manners to engage your neighbour in conversation in a pleasant way. It’s a very normal British thing to say ‘Good Morning’ and pat a dog,” she said, according to the publication.
“The Queen always chats to neighbours and even has tea with people on the estate as she’s very friendly with them. The ‘not petting the dog’ is particularly strange.
Harry and Meghan have been criticised in the past for keeping details of son Archie’s birth and christening private.
Read more: ‘Diva’ duchess: Meghan slammed for ‘high maintenance’ behaviour at Wimbledon
In fact, royal author Penny Juror recently criticised the couple’s decision to keep the christening ceremony private, saying “they can’t have it both ways”.
“Either they are totally private, pay for their own house and disappear out of view or play the game the way it is played,” she told The Times.
“Seeing Archie and his godparents arriving at the christening is what people are interested in; it isn’t baring your baby’s soul, just giving the public who love and support them a crumb to enjoy. If they want it to be really private, hold it in a parish church, not St George’s Chapel where royal ceremonies are held.”
Meanwhile, it comes after the duchess faced backlash earlier this month after a report from The Daily Telegraph claimed that Meghan’s staff asked people not to take photos of her at Wimbledon because she was there in “a private capacity”.
Read more: Prince Harry shares unseen snap of baby Archie as he celebrates Father’s Day