Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are treating life like a ‘prom event’ as the couple attempt to break into the world of showbusiness with their new and glamorous California life, a royal expert told Palace Confidential.

Charlotte Griffiths, editor-at-large for the Mail on Sunday, told the Mail+’s weekly talk show that the Montecito-based Duke and Duchess of Sussex are treating life ‘like a red carpet event’.

The panel discussed the growing backlash over the decision to give Prince Harry the memorial award set up in the name of Pat Tillman, an American football star who gave up a £3million contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11.

He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed by friendly fire in 2004.

Pat’s mother Mary said she was ‘shocked’ and was not consulted about the decision to award the Duke of Sussex with the prestigious gong.

She said there were ‘recipients that are far more fitting’ who ‘do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has’.

Host Jo Elvin asked Charlotte whether the Sussexes were being ‘tin-eared’ to the criticism they’ve faced over the past week.

Charlotte responded: ‘I get the impression that life for Meghan Markle at the moment is a sort of prom event and [Harry] is the prom king and she’s the prom king and she’s setting up all these events over the years that they can attend together.

‘Although at the Living Legends of Aviation one, she actually didn’t turn up with him because a similar controversy had happened before the event and then she didn’t go with him.

‘I’ll be very interested to see if this time next week she goes with him. Serena Williams, her great friend, is presenting the award so she may well attend.

‘Life isn’t a red carpet event for them to show off their brand, there are some very serious events out there and they are being tin-eared.’