The Duchess of Sussex has returned to the UK and is likely being supported by a fiercely loyal network of confidantes as she navigates her new reality. The Sussexes came back to England last summer, finding refuge in the Cotswolds with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to have surrounded themselves with a tight-knit squad that provides shelter and support behind closed doors. Here, the Daily Express takes a look at the covert crew maintaining a steadfast and united front with the Duke and Duchess as they plot their next chapter in the UK.
Family Ties That Bind
Princess Diana's fiercely protective brother, Earl Spencer, has been a steadfast defender of his embattled royal nephews for decades. Having infamously branded the decision to make a young Harry and William walk behind their mother's coffin as "barbaric", Charles has now stepped up as a vital source of refuge.
Amid the ongoing royal rift, he offered Harry and Meghan sanctuary at the sprawling Spencer family estate, Althorp, last month—proving their family bond remains unbreakable.
Despite the catastrophic fallout between the Sussexes and the Firm, the bond between Prince Harry and his younger cousin Princess Eugenie remains resolute. Eugenie has been a constant source of support for the embattled pair since their royal exit. While persistent rumours of a rift have circulated, insiders furiously dismiss the claims, insisting the Duke remains entirely close to Eugenie as they present a united front away from the public glare.
Trusted Allies and Old Friends
Described as Meghan's absolute "rock" when she first relocated to the UK, PR powerhouse Isabel May remains one of her most fiercely loyal allies. Operating strictly under the radar, Izzy scored a coveted second-row seat at the 2018 royal wedding and is widely rumoured to be one of Prince Archie's secret godparents.
The Duchess hasn't entirely left her Hollywood connections behind. Meghan was recently spotted keeping a remarkably low profile at a pub in Burford alongside her longtime friends, US talk show titan Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi. The high-profile couple, who previously lived near the Sussexes in Montecito, relocated to the Cotswolds earlier this year.
No list of Meghan's closest allies would be complete without Markus Anderson. The Soho House Chief Membership Officer—who was instrumental in setting up the couple's covert first dates in London—has already been spotted alongside the Duchess since her UK return, proving their longstanding alliance remains as solid as ever.
Loyalty Across Borders
Proving that true loyalty knows no borders, Meghan's long-time best friend Kelly McKee Zajfen recently jetted across the pond to support the Duchess in her next chapter. Kelly, who runs the Alliance of Moms charity, shared a rare glimpse into their UK reunion, featuring quiet pub trips and time spent with young Princess Lilibet, highlighting the steadfast support system Meghan relies on.
Some bonds refuse to be broken by royal exile. Harry remains incredibly close to his former nanny, Tiggy Pettifer (née Legge-Bourke), a deeply trusted figure in his life. Cementing their lifelong connection, Harry is godfather to one of Tiggy's sons, while she serves as a fiercely protective godparent to Prince Archie.
The London-raised fashion designer Misha Nonoo, widely rumoured to have originally played matchmaker for Harry and Meghan, remains deeply embedded in their private world. Having stood by the couple through years of public scrutiny, she remains a steadfast fixture in Meghan's exclusive transatlantic circle.
