Prince William and Princess Kate are reportedly determined to maintain their distance from "the drama" surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have now returned to the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have relocated to Britain alongside their two young children and appear to be adapting well to life on British soil. Their revelation that they were returning six years after their dramatic departure from both the country and their positions as senior working royals sent shockwaves through fans.
Nevertheless, they appear to have transitioned back into British life with remarkable ease, with Archie and Lilibet now attending their second UK educational establishment after security personnel expressed reservations about the couple's initial selection.
Return to the UK
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose to relinquish their royal duties back in 2020, they pledged to achieve financial independence. Harry and Meghan took part in several prominent interviews with figures including Oprah Winfrey, Tom Bradby and Gayle King, featured in their own Netflix TV series, Finding Freedom, and the duke released his memoir, Spare.
Throughout these, the couple shared several explosive revelations about their experiences as senior working royals, including a significant confrontation Harry reportedly experienced with his elder brother, William, concerning his romance with Meghan.
Friction Before Departure
Friction is understood to have developed between Harry and Meghan and his royal family members some considerable time before the couple opted to depart the UK, with roots stretching back to before the duke's lavish 2018 wedding to Meghan in Windsor.
According to a biography, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, Mirror royal editor Russell Myers reveals how the Duke of Sussex was "incredulous" when his appeal for royal protection for Meghan ahead of their 2018 wedding was turned down. He reportedly felt it was "one rule for him and another for me" upon learning Catherine had received informal palace guidance at the start of her relationship with William and was afforded round-the-clock security immediately following the couple's engagement.
Harry desperately sought protective measures for his then fiancée after she became subjected to targeting on social media, and was left furious upon being informed any security provision would not materialise until after their marriage. His father, Charles, also maintained he could not intervene as it remained a government matter, despite the assistance provided to Kate following her engagement to William.
Looking to the Future
While Harry is understood to have repaired some bridges with his father, King Charles, during multiple return trips to Britain while he and his family remained based in America, his relationship with William and Catherine is not thought to have shown improvement, including following the family's relocation.
Associates of both William and Catherine have indicated the couple intend to maintain distance from "the drama" and while they "cannot forgive" the Sussexes for their hurtful accusations against the Firm, they are determined to "look forward to the future".
King Charles and Prince William are understood to have been informed simultaneously of the couple's intention to return to the UK, with the two senior roles reportedly in "complete lockstep" when it comes to not allowing Harry and Meghan to have a "half in, half out" role within the monarchy.
