Prince Harry was joined by his staff as he left the HALO Trust event on Monday as part of his two-day New York visit, where he is championing causes close to his heart and those associated with his late mother Princess Diana

A member of Prince Harry’s entourage has been spotted donning a particular accessory that has riled up royal fans.

The Duke of Sussex is now on day two of his solo New York visit, where he is making a string of appearances for causes in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana. On Monday, he joined a summit in the Big Apple to discuss the global mental health crisis facing young people with winners of the Diana Award – which celebrates young people who work to improve the lives of others.

Later in the day, he was with the Halo Trust, the landmine clearance charity supported by Diana, and also attended a private engagement with the conservation group African Parks. It was when he was leaving a meeting with the charity, with his staff trailing behind, that fans noticed one of his colleagues was sporting a Sussex pin, emblazoned with their signature logo of an H and M intertwined.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one royal commentator quipped: “If you need any more evidence that Harry and Meghan are pathetically trying to be America’s royals… This is what ambassadors and politicians wear, a pin with their country’s flag on it. Even William & Catherine’s staff aren’t forced to wear something so stupid.” Another scathed: “That’s real desperation for relevance.”

Others highlighted that the member of staff may have chosen to wear the monogram pin out of choice, with one saying: “What makes you think it’s forced?” It comes as the royal couple has gained something of a reputation for being unable to hang on to employees as they forge ahead with their charitable and production ventures outside the Firm.

Just last month, Harry’s chief of staff left his role after just three months – taking the total number of resignations in their office to 18. Josh Kettler, a high-flying PR executive, took up the senior post working with Harry in May ahead of the Sussexes’ tour to Nigeria. It was understood Mr Kettler was hired on a trial basis and the decision to part ways was mutual, with both sides agreeing it was not the correct fit.

The duke, who celebrated his milestone 40th birthday a week ago, is ploughing his energy into charity work after describing how fatherhood has given him a renewed sense of purpose to make “this world a better place”. Across two days of events during UN General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week, he is championing causes close to his heart and those associated with his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

Yesterday, he warned the next generation’s future is in danger of being stolen if their advice is not listened to. He also called on governments to bring young people into decision-making policy to avert problems. And later today, the Duke is set for another panel talk on global issues in a session called Everything Everywhere All At Once at the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting.

Harry will join American former president Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea, the World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and conservationist Dame Jane Goodall, and broadcaster Katie Couric.