But he added on Harry and Meghan: “This is really quite awful – hypocrisy upon hypocrisy.

“The last time the Sussexes were in New York, we had this great tale of the two-hour chase through the streets of Manhattan.

“At the same time as the Meghan was appearing in her off-the-shoulder beautiful outfit, the Princess of Wales was doing her own bit for World Mental Health Day in a much more low-key, much more studied and much more appreciated way.

“That’s the difference between the two of them, and it is up to the people to judge which they prefer.”