'America thinks the Royal Family should have done more to protect Meghan'

An estimated 30 million people in the US tuned in to watch Prince Harry marry former American actress Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on May 19, 2018.

This was an increase on the 23 million in America who watched the 2011 wedding of Harry’s older brother Prince William to Kate Middleton, according to Forbes.

It’s clear that global interest in the Royal Family has grown, particularly in the US, where California-born Meghan hails from.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor became the first royal to have US/UK dual citizenship when he was born on May 6, 2019 and is seventh in line to the throne.

CNN’s royal commentator Victoria Arbiter tells Yahoo UK’s ‘The Royal Box’, that Americans love the Royal Family and have a sense of pride about Meghan being part of the firm.

Arbiter says: “With Meghan in there, they’re very proud, it’s one of their own behind palace walls.

“There is a sense however, they feel that the Royal Family hasn’t done enough to protect Meghan.”

READ MORE: Everything we know about Harry and Meghan's baby's christening so far

The duchess has been subjected to a wave of negative press, with unfounded rumours about her ‘difficult behaviour’ and a ‘rift’ between her and the Duchess of the Cambridge.

She has also had to contend with her estranged father Thomas Markle and her half-siblings Thomas Markle Jr. and Samantha Markle revealing personal details about their relationship and criticising her on social media and during TV interviews.

Arbiter says from a US perspective, they find it hard to understand the Royal Family’s philosophy of ‘never complain, never explain.’

She adds: “There’s a sense there [in the US] that she’s [Meghan] been under attack and that someone should have stood up to defend her.

“But the thing is, let’s say Prince Charles did come out and say something, it would fuel the story more and more and more.”

READ MORE: Nothing will ever split William and Harry, says Paul Burrell

The Duchess of Sussex is currently on maternity leave after giving birth to son Archie in May.

She joined Harry at the New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox baseball game at the London Stadium on Saturday, where they were given mini team shirts for Archie.

The royal tot’s christening is reportedly set to take place on Saturday 6 July.