A royal expert has discussed how her “jaw hit the ground” after Vanity Fair published a scathing article about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry five years on from their departure as working royals.

The Times’ royal editor Kate Mansey spoke on Kinsey Schofield’s Unfiltered podcast, saying:

“My jaw hit the ground because this is a publication that has been mostly supportive of the Sussexes.”

The article covered the various commercial deals they have signed since setting up home in America, and even neighbours in Montecito were also invited to share their verdicts on the couple, who are reportedly hardly ever seen in the area.

Kate said she read through the damning allegations and wondered what the “pinch point” would be for the couple.

She explained: “I wondered what they [Harry and Meghan] would be most concerned about. One of the things that would have annoyed them quite a lot is that they were bad neighbours. That they had brought their neighbourhood into disgrace with all the celebrity they had brought to the area.”

A neighbour has since come out to defend the Sussexes, telling Hello! Magazine they are part of the community. Actress Sharon Stone said: “They’re a part of our community, they’ve become a giving, caring, participating part of our community.”

Since the start of the year, Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, have also shown support for the community by volunteering to help those impacted by the recent LA wildfires.

A royal expert has discussed the ‘pinch point’ for Harry and Meghan following Vanity Fair article (Image: Getty)