Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are preparing to return to the UK in July 2026 with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for the first time since Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The visit marks the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020 and relocating to Montecito, California, the couple has made several pointed criticisms of British institutions, including the monarchy, media, and culture. Below are seven of their most notable comments.
7. Claims the Monarchy Is Bound to a 'Nostalgia for Empire'
In their 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the couple used experts and historians, including David Olusoga and Afua Hirsch, to frame the British Commonwealth and the UK's historical identity critically. The documentary labelled the Commonwealth as "Empire 2.0" and argued that the modern UK monarch remains structurally dependent on a legacy of colonial extraction and "anti-Blackness," suggesting that a woman of colour like Meghan was structurally set up to be rejected by the British establishment.
6. Criticising British Cultural Coldness and 'Formality'
In the same Netflix series, Meghan criticised what she perceived as rigid formality in everyday British interactions, contrasting it with American culture. She recalled meeting Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, while wearing ripped jeans and no shoes, and going in for a hug. She said she didn't realise that "the formality on the outside carried through on the inside," calling it surprising. She also expressed shock when Prince Harry told her she needed to curtsy to Queen Elizabeth II before a private lunch, noting she originally thought curtsying was only part of the "fanfare" of public life. Realising it was expected privately within the family was the moment she understood the institution's far greater formality.
5. Condemnation of 'Toxic' British Media
Meghan and Harry have consistently described the UK press as a destructive force. Prince Harry has repeatedly characterised the British tabloid press as "toxic." In the Netflix series, historian David Olusoga argued that the British press exists as a "white industry" structurally biased against Meghan. Harry also detailed what he called a corrupt, symbiotic relationship between the Palace and the media, claiming royal press officers routinely "leak" and "plant" negative stories about certain family members to protect or boost others' public images.
4. Lack of Support from the Royal Institution
The couple painted a picture of a cold, rigid system that failed to protect them, comparing it to a psychological prison. In their 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, Harry stated he felt "trapped" within the royal system, while Meghan claimed that the pressures of her role left her with suicidal thoughts. She said that when she sought inpatient mental health care from the Palace's HR department, she was told it would be impossible because it "wouldn't be good for the institution."
3. Accusations of Racism and 'Unconscious Bias'
In the Oprah interview, Meghan revealed that while pregnant with Archie, there were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born." Harry later clarified in a 2023 interview that they did not accuse the Royal Family of being racist, but rather of harbouring "unconscious bias."
2. Claims of Being Silenced by the Palace
In their Netflix series, the couple alleged that the Palace instructed them not to speak publicly about certain issues, including racism and mental health. Meghan said she was told to "keep her head down" and not cause trouble, while Harry claimed that the institution's default response to any controversy was to stay silent and hope it blows over—a strategy he said was damaging to their well-being.
1. Accusations of a 'Leaking' Culture Within the Palace
Harry has repeatedly accused royal aides of leaking negative stories about him and Meghan to the press to protect other family members. In his memoir Spare (2023), he detailed specific instances where he believed information was deliberately planted, including stories about his relationship with his brother, Prince William. He described this as a systemic issue that created a hostile environment for them.
Despite these criticisms, Prince Harry has stated that the UK will always be his proud homeland and that he desires reconciliation with his family. However, he has said he cannot safely bring his wife and children back due to the stripping of their automatic police security. The upcoming July visit is expected to be a significant family reunion, with the couple attending official events for the Invictus Games countdown.
