Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been warned there is no "half in, half out" role for them in the Royal Family as other members of the Firm prepare for a busy autumn. Buckingham Palace insiders are adamant the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain private individuals with no royal duties after their return to Britain last week.
This is despite Harry and Meghan planning a schedule of public appearances over the coming months, including attending the WellChild awards in September, according to The Times.
Kate's Reported Trip to India
It comes as the Princess of Wales is reportedly set to join her husband on a trip to India as the family takes a "business as usual approach" to the Sussexes' highly-publicised relocation. Princess Kate, who has kept tight-lipped on the news alongside her husband, could travel to Mumbai with him in November for the Earthshot Prize ceremony, marking the first major joint foreign visit for the couple in four years.
She was not previously expected to attend, having last appeared at the ceremony, which is run by the Waleses' Royal Foundation, in December 2022.
'Business as Usual' Approach
A source said: "Autumn will be a busy one but it's not in any way a reaction to the Sussexes' return. These engagements take months and sometimes years of preparation to pull together so it's a case of business as usual."
Insiders reportedly hope that Harry and Meghan won't overshadow the packed itinerary of royal engagements in the coming months. One also described their return to the UK as "rushed", with King Charles understood to have only learned of the plan three days before it became public despite reuniting with Harry, Meghan and their children in July.
The Sussexes' Return to Britain
The duke and duchess are said to be settling in Britain for an "extended period" of time, with a new home secured in the Cotswolds and Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, enrolled in schools, ready to start in September.
It comes six years after the couple quit the monarchy amid the Megxit crisis and relocated to the US, from where they criticised members of the Royal Family and the institution. William and Kate, who were holidaying at Balmoral with the King when Harry and Meghan landed in the UK on Wednesday, have not reacted publicly to the news but the brothers are thought to remain estranged.
Charles is said to be happy to be able to spend more time with the Sussexes but has made it clear they will not be working royals.
