Meghan Markle may have subtly distanced herself from the Royal Family with a few strategic moves during her visit to Colombia, an expert has claimed.

The Duchess of Sussex was accompanied by Prince Harry for a four-day stay in the country last month after they were invited by Vice President Francia Marquez. The visit, which included multiple public engagements, was described as a ‘quasi-royal tour’ and was not dissimilar to the kinds of trips the couple would take as senior royals.

But lifestyle journalist Lydia Rose Hawken reckons the tour may have been an opportunity for Meghan to ‘hit back’ at her royal relatives. Taking to TikTok. she said: “This is the subtle way Meghan Markle is hitting back at critics with her Colombia wardrobe.

“Across the board, it [the trip] is pretty much being labelled a tour, which is obviously something they did on behalf of the Royal Family before their US move. So I reckon Meghan purposefully picked this dress because with a slit up the front and [a] teeny flash of torso, it’s probably not ‘royal tour’ appropriate,” she continued

Hawken then explained how Meghan changed into a Veronica Beard co-ord, adding it was a more “casual” look than what might be expected from a member of The Firm. This, Hawken argued, was a way Meghan could show off her freedom now she had stepped down from royal duties.

“Because she’s no longer a working royal, Meghan is no longer governed by these style rules,” she pointed out. “It’s also worth noting that this dress is by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz and wearing a designer from the country you’re visiting is the oldest-fashioned rule in the royal playbook.”

People were quick to comment on the clip, with one person writing: “They aren’t part of the Royal Family so she can wear what she wants. She looks amazing as per usual! “.

Another posted: “I think she looks beautiful,” and a third echoed: “She’s perfection and her clothes style choices are always effortlessly elegant.”