Meghan Markle blasted over 'calculated and dangerous' move after shock Hollywood return

Meghan Markle was savaged by a PR expert after her latest string of announcements appeared to clash with Prince William's engagements in Brazil. The Duchess of Sussex made headlines on Wednesday after news emerged that she has made a shocking return to acting.

On the same day, Meghan also announced that products from her lifestyle brand, As Ever, have made their debut in a physical store for the first time. It came hours before Prince William's powerful speech at this year's Earthshot Prize Awards in Brazil and his attendance at COP30.

Now, a royal expert has questioned whether the timing of Meghan's announcements was coincidental or not.

Renae Smith, founder of PR agency The Atticism, criticised the Duchess's team for making the timing of the announcements appear intentional and described the move as "calculated and dangerous".

The PR specialist told the Express: "I've actually always defended her before. I've never believed she's sitting at home with the royal diary open, plotting counter-announcements. But it's happening so often now that it's hard to keep calling it a coincidence.

"Whether intentional or not, someone on her team seems to be tracking royal moments and slotting her headlines in alongside them. It's starting to look calculated, and that's dangerous."

She added: "If it is intentional, it's a bad play. When your public narrative starts to look like it's competing with someone else's, you lose control of your own brand.

"Even if it's not deliberate, perception becomes reality, and right now, that perception is that Meghan's always trying to upstage the royals.

"If I were advising her team, I'd say please pull back."

The Duchess's return to Hollywood will see her play herself in Jason Orley's Close Personal Friends, which boasts Lily Collins, Brie Larson, Jack Quaid - son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid - and Brit Henry Golding among its cast.

The film is about two couples-one famous and one not-who meet in Santa Barbara and become fast friends, and Meghan is reportedly going to make a cameo appearance.