Prince William is "adamantly opposed" to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returning to royal duties, according to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, who shared the future monarch's stance during an appearance on Fox News.
Discussing the Sussexes' return to the UK, Fitzwilliams made it clear there will be no "half-in half-out" agreement made for the pair, who stepped away as working royals in January 2020 in a move dubbed "Megxit".
No half-in half-out agreement
"We still don't know the main reason they are here [in the UK]," Fitzwilliams observed. "My feeling is that Harry and Meghan will not get the opportunity to become a half-in, half-out, which is basically what they've wanted. Not officially, they won't be working members of the royal family.
"Harry is, of course, fifth in line to the throne still, and there's no question that I think they would like the option. After all, they have come to the United Kingdom in August. Without any warning, bar three days for the king, and I mean that is absolutely extraordinary," he said.
Security row could be deciding factor
Fitzwilliams suggested Harry's ongoing personal security row could be the deciding factor as to whether or not they take on any sort of duties. The family's protection status has been a huge bone of contention, and he acknowledged the situation is being appraised again after they were forced to move their children to another school after two days.
"Their children have been taken to another school. But what would it mean if the security, for example, which is being looked at again, as Harry has requested, if they get VIP automatic security?" he asked.
"It certainly seems likely there's going to be some compromise? Would that, for example, involve looking after Megan in the United States? I mean, I would think it unlikely. But the point is not their popularity rating. I think people don't want it. [But] it's the question of the nature of the threat.
"And if they did get it, then the feeling is perhaps they should do a certain amount to justify it. Could they hope to get through to do royal duties or some royal duties of some sort in that way?" he pondered.
Deep rift with the future monarch
Fitzwilliams acknowledged: "Harry is thoroughly likeable, and they regard themselves as public figures." Despite this, he confirmed: "We know Prince William is adamantly opposed to them doing anything, and there's a deep, deep rift there. He believes he's been betrayed, and when you look at the situation since Megxit, you can see why they're mistrusted.
"But there are questions as to whether or not, in some form, they will be performing some type of rolling committee somewhere, probably. Despite opinion polls which have both of them low, they won't go away for quite a long time," he predicted.
