Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to relocate to the UK by the end of the month, more than six years after leaving Britain for a new life in North America. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will move with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who have reportedly enrolled in British schools ahead of the new academic year.
Royal status as 'currency'
Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine has suggested there could be a bigger motivation behind the move, centring on Harry's position in America. Speaking on the Daily Mail's Palace Confidential, Ms Vine claimed the Sussexes' royal status remains their biggest asset, but warned that its value has been declining since they stepped back from royal duties.
She said: "Harry and Meghan's currency is that they're members of the Royal Family. Yes, they're rebellious members of the Royal Family. Yes, they're disruptors. They like to class themselves that. But nevertheless, it's their royal value that's of interest to people."
'Land grab' and 'run out of road'
Ms Vine argued that this "royal value" had become harder for the couple to maintain while living in California. "And I think this coming back to the UK is their way of basically getting their trotters back under that royal table," she said.
Describing the move as "a land grab", she claimed one of Harry's main concerns could be that his opportunities in America are beginning to run out. "And, you know, it's a land grab because I think that one of Harry's big concerns is that he kind of run out of road in America. There was sort of no more options for him."
Ms Vine believes being physically back in Britain could give Harry an opportunity to rebuild his influence within royal circles. "Whereas if he comes back here, it's much easier for him when he's on the ground to start the process of reclaiming what he would consider to be his birthright and reshaping the royal family in a way that he would like it shaped."
Family plans and royal status
The family is expected to live somewhere outside London, although their exact destination has not been confirmed. The couple are also expected to retain their properties in Montecito and Portugal, while Meghan will continue running her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from Britain.
The move comes only weeks after the Sussexes brought their children to see King Charles at Highgrove – the first time Harry and Meghan had visited with them in four years. The King is understood to welcome the prospect of spending more private time with his grandchildren, but there is no suggestion the Sussexes will return as working royals. The couple's status is expected to remain unchanged, with no "half-in, half-out" arrangement on the table.
Potential impact on royal relations
Ms Vine also predicted the return could have consequences for Harry's relationship with his brother, Prince William. "We know that he has very different views from the future king, William, on this," she said, adding that she could see a "Game of Thrones-style schism between the two courts".
She warned that a rivalry between an unofficial Sussex camp and the future royal household of William and Catherine "has the potential to be very, very toxic."
