Prince Harry appears to be a noticeably different person whenever he returns to the UK, according to a royal expert who has spent time observing him during recent visits. The Duke of Sussex has made a dramatic return to Britain with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after the family spent six years living in the US.
Expert notes shift in demeanour
According to Roya Nikkhah, chief royal correspondent of The Sunday Times, there is something striking about Harry whenever he comes back to his home country. Speaking on The Royals with Roya and Kate podcast, Rosamund Urwin, chief news correspondent of The Sunday Times, suggested Harry may have become bored after almost seven years away from the UK.
Roya agreed, saying: "He was. Yeah. He has looked much happier, as you touched on earlier, every time he comes back." She pointed to Harry's most recent visit, which came during a particularly difficult week for the Duke.
Difficult week, strong finish
He had just given a speech about the Invictus Games at Chatham House when a judgment was handed down in his legal battle with Associated Newspapers Limited, with Harry losing his claims against the publisher. There was also a public disagreement involving Buckingham Palace over whether he would stay at a royal residence during his visit.
However, Roya said Harry's demeanour changed as the trip continued. "But then, at the end of the week, he sort of pulled it back up and was on great form, doing his stuff," she said. Harry was seen taking part in Invictus-related activities in Birmingham and later appeared at an event for Scotty's Little Soldiers.
Family reunion and extended stay
Roya described seeing him doing yoga with children and said he was "basically in his element". The Duke subsequently reunited with his father, King Charles, and his children, after the monarch had not seen his grandchildren for more than four years. "So, however difficult things get for him, when he is back on home soil these days, he just does look a lot happier," Roya added.
The comments come as Harry and Meghan begin what is expected to be an extended stay in the UK with Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five. The family arrived at Birmingham Airport on Wednesday after travelling from California on a private jet. A spokesperson for the couple declined to comment on their travel arrangements, citing privacy and security concerns. The spokesperson said: "This is not something we would comment on."
The couple's chickens are reportedly remaining at their Montecito home, while their dogs Mia and Pula have travelled with them. Archie and Lilibet have already been enrolled in British schools ahead of the new academic year, while the family are reportedly considering a move to the Cotswolds. Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior working royals in 2020 and subsequently relocated to the US, where they have spoken publicly about their experiences within the Royal Family. Despite their return, the couple are not expected to resume official royal duties. The Sussexes have yet to publicly explain their decision to move back to the UK.
