'This is censorship': Society of Editors criticises Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after couple issue email saying they will 'no longer engage' with the UK's most popular newspapers

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's letter to newspaper editors saying they will 'no longer engage' with the UK's most popular titles has today been blasted as censorship by the Society of Editors.

Executive director Ian Murray said the statement was 'sadly a clear attempt to undermine certain sections of the UK media who often ask uncomfortable questions'.

Royal watchers also condemned the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's 'narcissistic' decision to have 'zero engagement' with the four British newspaper groups.

The Queen's former press spokesmen Dickie Arbiter said the couple were 'wrong' and Prince Charles's biographer Tom Bower said they 'have become their own worst enemies'.

Earlier Piers Morgan and the BBC's Andrew Neil were among the host of commentators to lay into the pair's new policy.

The LA-based Sussexes released the letter to four newspaper groups last night detailing how their self-imposed ban is a refusal to 'offer themselves up'.

Their message was sent from an official Sussex Royal email, despite the Queen banning them from using the title and them saying they plan to use Archewell.

They emailed the editors of these popular publications: the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, the Sun and the Daily Express.

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Harry and Meghan are seen in LA last week delivering meals to needy residents during the coronavirus lockdown

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said they will no longer respond to enquiries from journalists at British tabloids. Pictured with son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor during a royal tour of South Africa, September 25, 2019

GMB debate on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shutting out tabloids

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It came hours after Prince Harry caused outrage by suggesting the coronavirus crisis sweeping Britain was 'better than we are led to believe through certain corners of the media'.

Their letter was widely criticised by royal and media commentators, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Arbiter told MailOnline: 'I really want to know who is advising them because they are wrong.. unless they are doing it themselves.

'Not only this, Harry was wrong over the weekend. because 2.4million deaths is bad, 16,000 in the UK is bad.

The Society of Editors brands the Sussex's letter censorship

Executive Director Ian Murray said: 'Although the Duke and Duchess say they support a free press and all it stands for there is no escaping their actions here amount to censorship and they are setting an unfortunate example.

'Although the couple may no longer style themselves as working royals, they continue to be high-profile public figures and indeed have made plain their intention to continue to do so. By appearing to dictate which media they will work with and which they will ignore they, no doubt unintentionally, give succour to the rich and powerful everywhere to use their example as an excuse to attack the media when it suits them.

'The truth is that Harry and Meghan have enjoyed and continue to enjoy a huge amount of positive coverage for themselves and their causes, much of it carried in the very titles they are now targeting. They may have been stung by some of the coverage they have not liked, they may disagree strongly with some elements of that coverage and can of course take action to answer any criticism they consider unfair or inaccurate through several channels. But the answer should never be to attempt to shun individual titles and their millions of readers.'

'So how he can even suggest it isn't as bad as what is being said about it is wrong. But then again, he is not the brightest bunny on the planet.'

Mr Bower said: 'The Sussexes have become their own worst enemies. They clearly cannot stand being irrelevant and ignored.

'In the midst of a horrendous global crisis causing so much misery all they can think about is themselves.

'Constantly they push their obsession about their image and their financial income into the spotlight, and then outrageously harangue the public with their problems. Meghan, just understand: No one cares!'

And Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams added: 'We know the intensity of both Harry and Meghan's feelings towards the British tabloids, I mean there's no question about that.

'The statement they've released simply means it is going to be slightly more difficult for journalists to get information.

'It won't mean fewer Royal stories because obviously the demand for Royal stories will remain enormous.'

He added: 'It's important, I would have thought, and in their interests to have their point of view put across.'

The Sussexes completed their last royal duty on March 31, before stepping away from the monarchy - dropping their HRH styles - for a life mostly in LA.

President Donald Trump said the US will not pay for the couple's estimated £4million security costs, which had been picked up by the Metropolitan Police.

Earlier this month the Mail revealed Harry and Meghan had agreed to pay for the cost of their security, which will reportedly consist of former SAS soldiers at a cost of £400 per operative per day.

Harry, 35, and 38-year-old Meghan's letter was sent to the editors of the news groups involved last night.

They wrote: 'Please note that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be engaging with your outlet. There will be no corroboration and zero engagement.'