Former royal butler Grant Harrold has predicted that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will face significant challenges as they adjust to life in the UK, but says the move could also bring some huge benefits.
Children Face Unsettling New Reality
As part of the announcement made through People magazine, it emerged that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will be starting school in the UK in September. Harrold said: "Archie and Lilibet's whole lives will be changed by this move to the UK. Life in America is very different to life in the UK, especially the part of the US where Harry and Meghan set up home. Everything will change, from their schooling to their home lives. Not to mention they will have to get used to the British weather!"
Potential for Family Reconnection
"But one of the biggest positives will be that they hopefully get to know their extended family," Harrold added. "Let's be honest, they don't really know their dad's family at all. Archie spent time with the King, William and Kate when he was a baby, but he won't remember that. And we don't know if William and Kate have even met Lilibet."
Harrold, who worked as a royal butler for King Charles for over six years, said: "When you think about it, it's really sad. The fact that Archie and Lilibet have missed out on these close family relationships because of adult drama - and the same goes for George, Charlotte and Louis. They loved Harry and will have missed him. But this move to the UK could change this."
Royal Family Dynamics
According to royal experts, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales were completely "blindsided" by the announcement in the US press that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to the United Kingdom. US gossip columnist Rob Shuter reports that King Charles himself only learned of the Sussexes' plans days ago, leaving William and Kate stunned by a decision that could dramatically change the Royal Family's delicate power balance.
The shock move seems to have at least partially been encouraged by Harry and Meghan's friendly meeting with the King and Queen at Highgrove earlier this year, which has been described in some quarters as a "loyalty test" for the self-exiled prince. Prince William was notably absent from that tea party, and Harrold says there are still some significant bridges to be rebuilt between the heir to the throne and his younger brother.
Future Roles for Archie and Lilibet
On the question of whether the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex will be able to set aside the 2018 squabble over Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress, Harrold said: "I can't imagine that Kate and Meghan will be setting up a playdate straight away. But I think both women will want their children to get to know their cousins. We know how important the 'cousin bond' has been with this generation of royals, with William and Harry extremely close to the Tindalls and the York sisters. I think they will want their children to have that when they grow up."
"Technically, if this move becomes permanent we could see Archie and Lilibet taking more prominent roles in the Royal Family as they grow up," Harrold added. "They both have royal titles and are sixth and seventh in line to the throne. I can't imagine this is something Meghan and Harry will want, but you never know."
