The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have settled into their new life in the Cotswolds after returning to Britain last month, having raised their children in Montecito, California, for the past six years.
Their homecoming was not widely expected, and it has now emerged that Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, urged her daughter to 'think very carefully' about the move.
Family warning
"Doria told Meghan to think very carefully before moving back," a family source told Rob Shuter's Naughty But Nice outlet.
"She watched what Britain did to her daughter the first time. She saw the pressure, the criticism and the toll it took. She's terrified history will repeat itself."
Doria, 70, is believed to share a close bond with Meghan, 45, and frequently visits Montecito to spend time with Archie, now aged seven, and Lilibet, five.
Challenges on return
While the pair have informed insiders they are 'delighted to be back', their return has not been entirely plain sailing. They became caught up in a briefing dispute with King Charles III, following a letter he approved stating they should be regarded as 'private citizens' when undertaking charitable work. Harry and Meghan are said to favour the description 'public figures'.
The couple have also been forced to switch their children's school, after the family's security team concluded the rural school run posed too many safety challenges. Traffic in the Cotswolds reportedly made it too difficult to keep the Sussexes safe on the school run.
Video backlash
They were also branded 'hypocritical' after Meghan posted a video of the family back in Britain. In a compilation of mobile phone footage, the family can be seen in the countryside with their dog, and Harry on a boat in a pond angling with the children.
It begins with Meghan and husband Harry holding hands, with the Duchess turning towards the camera and cheekily calling out 'come on, you'. One heartwarming moment appears to show Lilibet pedalling along with a doll in the child bike seat as Archie dashes past her, and it seems one of the youngsters is warming their feet by the fire in another scene. A Union Jack emoji and a heart emoji are placed over the collection of clips.
Sharing the video has been branded as "hypocrisy" by Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield: "If privacy is genuinely the priority, the most effective strategy is simple... stop broadcasting your family life to millions of strangers."
