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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been issued an important warning about their image before they travel to Australia on their latest quasi-royal tour. Ahead of their trip Down Under, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out in California at an event with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos - the timing of which came after rumours that the Sussexes' relationship with the streaming giant had gone sour.

It was previously reported that Netflix had cut ties with Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, to allow the Duchess to "continue growing the brand and take it into its next chapter independently." This was followed by a scathing article in Hollywood Bible Variety claiming that Netflix was allegedly "blindsided" by their explosive 2020 interview with Oprah Winfrey, with "many annoyed by the lack of communication".

The couple's decision to quickly shut down speculation with the new picture is largely in line with their brand. Whether reacting to controversy or telling their side of the story with a strongly worded statement, Prince Harry and Meghan always act quickly - a move that only prompts further questions, a leading expert has said.

Brand and culture expert Nick Ede exclusively told The Daily Express: "Harry and Meghan have always taken a very deliberate, almost Hollywood-style approach to managing scrutiny, and what we're seeing now is a continuation of that strategy.

"By stepping out publicly with the Netflix owner Ted, they're clearly trying to project confidence, stability and control. It's a classic PR move, and in their minds, that shuts down rumours about fractures behind the scenes. However, the risk is that it can feel overly performative. When you align yourself so visibly with a commercial partner right after controversy, particularly after legal action from Harry, it invites more questions than it answers. People start to wonder what's really going on behind the scenes."

Their latest appearance came after it was announced that Prince Harry was being sued by Sentebale, the African HIV and AIDS charity he set up in 2006 in memory of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Moments after the news that Prince Harry and Sentebale's former trustee, Mark Dyer, are being sued for defamation by the charity was announced, a spokesman for the Duke issued a statement. They said: "As Sentebale's co-founder and a founding trustee, they categorically reject these offensive and damaging claims.

"It is extraordinary that charitable funds are now being used to pursue legal action against the very people who built and supported the organisation for nearly two decades, rather than being directed to the communities the charity was created to serve."

While Harry and Meghan's instinct is to quickly shut down controversy, rather than taking time to reflect and read public reaction, Mr Ede is clear that this approach could also be a strength for the couple.

"Their brand has always been built on authenticity and purpose, but this can start to feel more like celebrity damage control than values-driven storytelling, which is where they're strongest," the expert said.

"What's great about the pair is that together they are really strong and showing this united front and not shying away is a really positive move for them and the brand as they embark on their Australian journey very soon."