Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face hurdle with Royal Family, royal expert claims
Following the shock news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are coming back to our shores, it seems things might not be as straightforward as they perhaps hope.
The couple relocated to the US and distanced themselves from the Royal family and stepped back from their roles.
There has been a high-profile disconnect between Prince Harry and Prince William, as well as a seemingly frosty relationship with King Charles.
It has been reported that they are returning to the UK later this month, in time for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to start at a new prep school in September.
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If the couple is expecting to slot easily back into life here, a Royal source thinks they will face some difficulties.
They told the Telegraph it is ‘way too early’ to know whether Harry and Meghan will be automatically invited to Royal family events.
This includes things such as celebrating Christmas at Sandringham with the rest of the family, or to their annual Balmoral holiday.
Instead, it will be up to King Charles to extend an invite to them.
The monarch is said to have only been told last weekend that they are planning to return, and according to the BBC he is said to be welcoming the opportunity to spend more time with members of his family.
It is known that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not attend official events, as they stepped back from their roles, and the late Queen Elizabeth II had a firm policy of no ‘half in/half out’ Royals.
The Telegraph also reported that Prince Harry hopes that the King will open the Invictus Games next year.
Back in 2023, Harry said: “I’ve said before that I’ve wanted a family, not an institution – so of course I would love nothing more than for our children to have relationships with members of my family, and they do with some, which brings me great joy.”
Many fans and Royal experts are wondering whether the move will also help to heal the rift between Prince Harry and William.
They were once close, but things have been difficult for years following clashes between Meghan Markle and the Princess of Wales.
A family friend told the BBC that people shouldn’t get their hopes up: "William is very stubborn."
"To feel cheated by your own brother has been painful. He can't just put it behind him."
Prince Harry told the outlet last year: "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight any more."
Former editor of The Sun, David Yelland said on BBC Breakfast: "This is one of the biggest news stories in the world: the schism between William and Harry. Until these two brothers get together or show us there is a rapprochement, that story is going to make it very difficult."
"Every single thing they do, wherever William goes, he will be asked about this because Harry is back in the neighbourhood.
"We don't need cuddles, we don't need posed-up photos, we just need a briefing that they have met.
“This is a real PR crisis for the Royal Family. William has to reach out, if he doesn't we are going to be talking about this every day for years and it's going to become a reputational threat."
Topics: Royal Family, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince William
Jen Thomas