Ex-Chancellor Philip Hammond has said it will be "very difficult" for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to become financially independent.
Last night in a statement the Royal couple said they would "step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent", dividing time between the US and UK.
But Mr Hammond, told Emma Barnett on Radio 5Live: "it’s very difficult for people who are senior members of the royal family to have careers in the ordinary sense of the word."
He said he "wasn't surprised" about the decision but said there would be challenges.
He continued: "I think it will be very difficult for them, and I’m sure they understand the pressures and difficulties that they will face because every single thing that they do, or try to do, will come under immense scrutiny.
"So, on the one hand, it’s very commendable that somebody in that position wants to try to earn their own living.
"It’s also only fair that we recognise that the intense interest that the media and the public opinion will take in everything that they do will make it actually quite difficult for them to do so."
Earlier in the day the Sussexes faced criticism after it emerged they had pledged to remain in their home - which was renovated at the taxpayers expense.
A Privy Counsellor and campaign group Republic criticised the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for saying they would step down as senior royals - but keep a claim on the newly-refubished Windsor pad.
But they added they "will continue to use Frogmore Cottage ...as their official residence as they continue to support the Monarchy, and so that their family will always have a place to call home in the UK."
The cottage was renovated at a cost of £2.4m of public money between November 2018 and March 2019 - refurbishing and renovating "five residential units" to create an "official residence" for the couple.
