Meghan Markle could be about to return to UK for first time in four years

After sensationally resigning from her royal responsibilities six years ago, the Duchess of Sussex could be making a return to the UK.

According to reports, Meghan Markle will join her husband, Prince Harry, in Birmingham later this year for a project close to his heart.

For those in need of a reminder, the Sussexes are said to have been at war with the firm since Harry and Meghan first got together in 2016 - something that Prince William allegedly wasn't too thrilled about.

By the couple's own account, both before and after their 2018 wedding, they endured 'bullying' from Harry's brother and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, among others, alongside alleged racial discrimination over their son's skin tone at the hands of senior royals.

They also took issue with Meghan's negative portrayal by several British tabloid outlets, as Harry said he was afraid of watching his wife 'falling victim to the same powerful forces' as his mother, Princess Diana.

Meghan and Harry have lived in Montecito since 2020 (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

These instances jointly spurred Harry and Meghan's 2020 decision to resign from their positions as senior royals and flee to the US, where they set up shop in Montecito, California, and welcomed their daughter.

The last time that 43-year-old Meghan set foot on British soil was in 2022, following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. That October, she and Harry, 41, flew over the Atlantic to be with the late monarch during her final hours.

Despite arriving too late to say goodbye, the couple later remained in the country for the Queen's funeral service at Westminster Abbey.

When it came to father-in-law King Charles III's coronation the following May, however, the former Suits actress was nowhere to be seen, remaining Stateside with her two children, six-year-old Prince Archie and four-year-old Princess Lilibet.

This year, however, reports from The Sunday Times claim that Meghan is willing to put her past grievances with the UK aside for the sake of her other half, who will host an event promoting the 2027 Invictus Awards in his home country.

Birmingham events will take place one year ahead of the tournament, and will see sporting individuals from around the world invited to make appearances. It isn't yet known whether Archie and Lilibet will turn up.

The couple returned to the UK in 2022 for The Queen's funeral (Chris Jackson/Staff/via Getty)

Apparently, though, there's one thing standing in the way of the couple's imminent return - the possibility that their right to armed protection in the UK mightn't be reinstated.

As a reminder, Harry lost his court case against the royal and VIP executive committee last May, after he appealed following the removal of his and Meghan's taxpayer-funded police protection, which came after they stepped down as seniors.

The removal meant that both Harry and Meghan would need to inform Metropolitan Police officials of their intention to visit the UK 30 days before their planned arrival date, so as to ensure security would be put into place.

Harry argued against this in court, claiming it would make it tricky for his wife and children to visit any family in the UK, but he was shut down.

The Prince described the loss as 'devastating', and part of a 'good old fashioned establishment stitch up', blaming members of the monarchy.

Tyla has contacted Harry and Meghan's representatives for comment.