Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Real Reason for Returning to the UK — as William Rift Remains Frozen
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning an extended return to the UK, with King Charles and their children’s connection to the wider royal family said to be at the heart of the decision.
But while the move could bring Harry closer to his father after years of strain, one major royal relationship appears no closer to healing: Prince William is still refusing to speak to his younger brother, according to sources.
King Charles Is a Major Reason for the Return
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made plans to leave California earlier this month, just weeks after their July reunion with King Charles.
Sources close to the Sussexes stressed that the family is not moving back to Britain permanently. Instead, Harry and Meghan intend to spend an extended period in the UK while continuing to maintain their life in California.
One royal insider said Charles is a significant reason behind the decision.
Harry, 41, has previously spoken publicly about his concerns for his father. During a BBC interview last May about their fractured relationship, he said he did not know how much longer his father had.
Charles, 77, is living with cancer, and it was announced in December that he would be transitioning to a precautionary phase of treatment.
Archie and Lilibet Are Also Central to the Decision
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Harry and Meghan also want Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, to develop closer relationships with relatives and friends in Britain.
The children are expected to attend school in the UK during the family’s extended stay.
A source said the Sussexes still have many friends and family members in Britain with whom they remain extremely close.
However, that does not necessarily mean Archie and Lilibet will spend time with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
According to the report, there is currently little to no chance of that happening because the relationship between Harry and William remains deeply strained.
William and Harry’s Rift Remains
Despite Harry’s apparent progress with Charles, sources say William continues to refuse to speak to his younger brother.
That unresolved divide means Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain is unlikely, at least for now, to result in a reunion between the Sussex children and William and Kate’s three children.
The Sussexes do, however, remain particularly close to Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank.
Eugenie and Jack have three children and spend part of their time in Lisbon, Portugal. Harry and Meghan also have a vacation home in Portugal. Eugenie recently welcomed their third child, daughter Adelaide.
Their California Home Is Staying
Harry and Meghan have no plans to sell their $14.5 million home in Montecito, California.
The couple stepped down as working members of the royal family in 2020 and left Britain for California. Meghan has returned to the UK only three times since then.
Their latest plans therefore represent an extended stay rather than a permanent abandonment of their California life.
Security has also remained an important issue.
When Harry visited England with Meghan and their children in July, upgraded security arrangements had not yet been provided. That prevented him from bringing Meghan, Archie and Lilibet with him for the entire week.
Instead, the three traveled from Portugal to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla at the monarch’s country home, Highgrove.
The planned return could therefore bring Harry and his children significantly closer to Charles and other relatives in Britain — but with William still keeping his distance, one of the biggest divisions inside the royal family appears far from resolved.