Prince William is reportedly opposed to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returning as working members of the Royal family following reports that the couple are planning a move back to the UK. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed plans to return to Britain later this month and have reportedly already enrolled their children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, in schools for September.
The couple are expected to remain in the UK for an “extended period of time”, six years after stepping back as working royals and moving to California.
Royal sources on the 'united' front
Royal sources told the Mirror today that the Prince of Wales and the King are “completely united” in their view that Harry and Meghan should not return as working royals, ruling out a “half in, half out” arrangement.
Friends of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, were also quoted as saying the couple “cannot forgive” Harry and Meghan over previous public allegations, but are determined to “look forward to the future”.
Speculation on location and public opinion
The reported return has prompted renewed speculation about the Sussexes’ relationship with the Royal family and where they could settle in Britain, with the Cotswolds in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire among the locations suggested.
Meanwhile, a YouGov poll conducted the day after news of the couple’s reported plans emerged found that 33 per cent of respondents believed Harry and Meghan should not return to live in Britain, while 21 per cent supported a move back from the US. A further 45 per cent said they did not know.
Opposition to a return was higher among older respondents. According to the poll, 47 per cent of people aged 65 and over said the couple should not move back, compared with 24 per cent of those aged 18 to 24.
Strained family relations
Relations between the Sussexes and other members of the Royal family have been strained in recent years. Tensions rose after Meghan made a series of claims about her experiences within the institution during the couple’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, while Harry discussed his relationships with senior members of the family in his 2023 memoir Spare.
Harry claimed in his controversial memoir that William had physically attacked him in a row over Meghan, and that his brother and Kate encouraged him to wear a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party in 2005 and “howled” with laughter when they saw it.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have not reacted publicly to the news, but former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggested William would be “apoplectic”.
It is understood The Sussexes are keeping their homes in Montecito, California; and Portugal, while the duchess will continue to run her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from their new base.
