Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the UK is 'turning into exactly what the Queen said she didn't want', a royal expert has warned. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently confirmed they are moving back to the UK after spending over six years in California.
They are planning on relocating to a private, non-royal residence outside of London later this month with their children, seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet, set to start at a British school in September. While King Charles is believed to be welcoming the move in a private capacity, there are no plans for Harry or Meghan to resume their roles as working royals.
Expert warns of 'divide and rule'
Speaking on The Royals: Uncensored, Robert Jobson, who has reported on the Royal Family for over 35 years, said: 'They're turning this into exactly what the Queen said she didn't want. The monarchy is not just about brands and commercialisation, it is part of a democracy for this country.'
Mr Jobson continued: 'This is a case of divide and rule. Not only divide and rule amongst the media with the way they just did that leak, they're trying to get control of the situation.'
He added: 'As they've held a gun to the King's head, they're going to do the same to William. So William has to be the pragmatist here to look at the whole system of monarchy. How does it work? What's best for us going forward? And it just seems, you know, Harry shouts loudest, squeals the loudest, therefore gets his own way. And that's what we've seen happen with the King.'
Security and royal duties remain unclear
Critics have warned that the permanent presence of Harry and Meghan, a high-profile couple aligned with Hollywood, may create an ongoing distraction within the Royal Family. Some claim it could create a 'rival team' that is competing with official royal duties.
The Sussexes stepped back from their royal duties at the start of 2020 before moving to California. They have since had a strained relationship with the wider family but visited the King and Queen Camilla in July for a 'private family occasion'.
The King is now believed to welcome their return from a personal point of view. However, Harry and Meghan are not expected to resume their royal duties, while the security arrangements surrounding their return remain unclear. Harry previously raised concerns around the safety of his wife and children returning to the UK. A Home Office spokesperson recently said decisions on the security of royals were taken by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec).
