Harry knows the dangers of confusion between royalty and showbiz – he must now tell his wife

There is a lot to admire about Meghan Markle. Self-taught, intelligent and extremely hardworking, Britain welcomed her as a free addition to our monarchy. But even his fervent fans would struggle to defend the extraordinary performance of last week.

Whatever Meghan's intentions, his five-day trip to New York, which ended with an elaborate "baby shower," was not just misjudged, it was widely seen as an extravagant exhibition at an era of national difficulties. As a PR exercise, it was a disaster.

Even the social media accounts run by the Kensington Palace have been criticized, and Meghan reportedly delivered "a slap at the head of people in poverty."

If she seemed carefree in the face of her own reputation, it is for Harry, her husband, that I fear the most.

When I spoke to Prince last year, he made it clear that he had no interest in becoming a celebrity. He could see the dangers. He said that instead, he wanted to be taken seriously for his contribution to public life.

Yes, Harry is famous too, but he clearly knew that his wife's fame was different from his. His world was founded in show business with all the ostentation that implies, while it was part of something quite objective: the fabric of our nation.

Prince Harry admitted that the line of demarcation between royalty and a celebrity is narrow.

But it was also clear that this line was the one he should not cross.

Now, his wife has told the world that she has a different point of view, as the highlights of her brief tour in New York show.

Serena Williams and Amal Clooney, some of the richest women in the world, would have won some, if not all, of the estimated £ 330,000, including the cost of a £ 125,000 private jet. .

For Baby's Day, seven-month-old Meghan hired New York's most sumptuous penthouse, a £ 57,000 suite at The Mark on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The guests dined with £ 150 of steaks while the famous harpist Erin Hill played in the background. As a throw away touch, guests received a suitcase worth £ 445.

These are extraordinary sums, especially for the millions of Britons who have trouble getting out of them. It is all the more revealing that Meghan's husband stayed at home and went to a youth center where he distributed food to the children.

As his press apparatus has unintentionally pointed out, about three million poverty stricken British children go hungry during school holidays.

In retrospect, the statement of Meghan's excess has been pending for some time. So, her wardrobe grew at such a rate that, according to a reputed fashion website, she was wearing £ 500,000 worth of clothes in just six months – more than any other royal woman in the world. Europe.

That figure excludes her £ 395,000 Givenchy wedding dress, which she then replaced with a £ 116,000 Stella McCartney dress for the reception.

Superb, yes. But appropriate?

How does such luxury fit with his Smart Works sponsorship, granted by the queen last month? Smart Works uses donated clothing to help vulnerable and unemployed women find jobs.

Meghan, whose background is far from privileged, has the potential to be an inspiring figure. She did, however, arrive to meet the charity's clients in an outfit costing £ 5,600 – a fortune for those at the bottom of the list.

These are not the mistakes of an ingenious. Meghan is a talented actress who understands the value of appearance and how signals can be sent to those who can read them.

Indeed, his trip to New York seemed as choreographed as the rest of his public outings.

Is Meghan telling the world that she does not care about getting clogged by the royal protocol? That, despite all her Duchess duties, she will not be completely mastered?

As The Mail on Sunday revealed last Sunday, Meghan remains firmly committed to acquiring its own independent global status, regardless of the conservative traditions it has now chosen to join. And in New York, she left her mark.

Surrounded by media around the world and her own group of protection officers, Meghan seemed to marvel at the showbiz's attention.

And in doing so, she mocks the recent claims of her star friend, George Clooney, that – like the late Princess Diana – she was victimized, "vilified and pursued" by the press.

Nobody suggests that adapting to the royal life is easy. The Duchess of Sussex has taken a huge step forward, rising from a role in Suits, a legal drama of American cable television, to living with a prince who occupies sixth place in the throne.

It is also true that the royal family must enter the 21st century. Meghan has a wind right behind her.

Yet, he sometimes disrespects behavior that goes back several generations. There are times when she does not seem willing to listen, preferring instead to assert her own opinions at home.

Is it wise to support a campaign to "decolonize the curriculum" and to increase diversity among "pale, faded" academics, as it did during a recent visit to the City University of London (disguised in Givenchy)?

There may be some truth in what she said, but does she really know enough to align with such views? She has been part of British life for less than a year, after all. Being royal is accompanied by duties and obligations quite different from those of Hollywood. Still, I'm not sure it's something she accepts, unlike her husband.

In our conversation last year, Harry told me many times, "I just want to be ordinary." But in a wedding, being ordinary is a team game.

Harry is clearly very much in love, but I think he was seriously disappointed by the kind of behavior that threatens to hurt Meghan, the royal family – and especially her husband.

In fact, I feel a little anguish when I look at the Sussex together. Harry is a natural action man who, under Meghan's leadership, is now meditating every day and calling himself a feminist.

When, last month, she visited a charity called Tomorrow's Women Wirral – she looked stunning again – she talked about the woman "on behalf of both of us", while Harry was following closely, looking distinctly underfoot. When she had finished her speech, she nodded and showed him a plaque. He obeys. She then began to laugh and applaud her like a little child.

For despite Harry's unbridled personality and natural charisma, he is still marked by the loss of his mother at the age of 12. He remains emotionally vulnerable and does not wish to contradict a charismatic and extremely determined wife.

He must yet. While congratulating Meghan for the many things that she has accomplished, Harry must also clearly explain what she's so wrong about.

It's important for Harry to find his voice. The stakes are high.

Harry: Conversations with the Prince, by Angela Levin, is available in a hardcover version. A paper version will be published in early May.