Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are heading back to the UK with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, six years after leaving Britain and stepping away from their roles as senior working royals. The Sussexes are expected to return later this month for an “extended period”, with their children reportedly set to begin school in Britain in September.
The move does not currently signal a return to royal duties. Harry and Meghan are expected to remain private members of the Royal Family and will live at a private residence rather than a royal estate. They also plan to retain their home in Montecito, California, and their property in Portugal.
According to Page Six, King Charles was reportedly told about the decision on Sunday, with sources saying he welcomes the opportunity to be closer to his grandchildren. The Sussexes’ decision has reportedly been driven in part by their desire to give Archie and Lilibet a stronger connection with their British family.
Yet their return comes at a particularly complicated time for the Royal Family. It follows renewed reports that Harry wants to repair his relationship with Prince William, while a separate report claimed Meghan believes any reconciliation should involve accountability from both brothers rather than Harry taking all the blame.
The Sussexes’ physical return to Britain could therefore put that unresolved relationship under an even brighter spotlight.
Tom Sykes Warns Of “Serious Risks” For The British Monarchy
Royal reporter Tom Sykes has described Harry and Meghan’s move as a potential source of major problems for Prince William and the wider monarchy.
“It’s a huge slap in the face for William, and it does also create serious risks for the monarchy,” Sykes declared bluntly.
Sykes argued that the brothers’ unresolved feud could make Harry’s return particularly difficult for William as Prince of Wales. He questioned what could happen if Harry were invited to major royal occasions now that he and Meghan will once again be living in Britain.
“What is gonna happen if Charles invites Harry to join the royal family for Christmas? What is gonna happen if Harry wants to attend the Remembrance Day celebrations?” Sykes asked.
The reporter also said there is “no way” King Charles did not know the move was happening, though a separate source claims the monarch learned about Harry and Meghan’s plans on Sunday.
Sykes went considerably further in his assessment, describing the situation as “very very dangerous” and arguing that Charles had allowed himself to be “manipulated into welcoming them home.” He also said he did not believe the late Queen Elizabeth II would have allowed such an arrangement.
Those are Sykes’ views, rather than an official warning from Buckingham Palace or a confirmed position held by William or another member of the Royal Family. The Palace has not publicly characterized the Sussexes’ return as a threat to the monarchy.
However, his concerns highlight an unusual situation. Harry and Meghan will once again be living close to the Royal Family while continuing to operate independently, meaning future family occasions could become considerably more complicated.
Related: Meghan Markle’s Terms for Prince Harry and William’s Royal Peace Talks Emerge
Why Harry And Meghan Are Returning To Britain
According to sources cited by Page Six, Harry and Meghan made the decision partly because they want to be closer to King Charles and give their children the opportunity to develop stronger relationships with their British family.
The move comes after Harry reunited privately with his father in July. Their meeting attracted significant attention because of the King’s cancer treatment and Harry’s previous comments about worrying about how much time his father has left.
The Sussexes’ lives in the United States have also changed considerably since their 2020 departure. Meghan launched her lifestyle brand As Ever and fronted the Netflix series With Love, Meghan, while Harry continued his charitable work and media projects.
Sykes, however, believes there may be another factor behind the decision. He told Page Six that it is “very clear the things haven’t worked out in America the way they thought they would” and suggested financial considerations could be involved.
“I think if there was another hundred-million-dollar deal on the table they wouldn’t be rushing home,” Sykes said.
That remains Sykes’ interpretation rather than an established explanation for the move. Harry and Meghan have not said that financial concerns are behind their decision to return to Britain.
The couple’s security arrangements are another unresolved issue. Harry previously said he could not see a situation in which he would bring Meghan and their children back to Britain, citing concerns about their protection. His long-running dispute over UK security has been one of the major reasons he has been reluctant to make Britain a family base again.
The decision to return therefore represents a significant change in the Sussexes’ relationship with Britain without amounting to a royal comeback. They will remain outside the working monarchy, but they will once again be living close to the family and institution at the center of their most difficult disputes.
For William, that proximity could be particularly difficult. Harry’s reported desire to repair their relationship suggests there may be an opportunity for the brothers to move closer to reconciliation, but Meghan’s reported insistence on mutual accountability shows that the underlying disagreement has not simply disappeared.
Whether the Sussexes’ return ultimately brings the brothers closer together or creates another layer of tension around the monarchy is something only time will reveal. For now, the move has put Harry and Meghan back in Britain’s royal orbit, with far more questions than answers about what happens next.