Meghan Markle Could Apply for British Citizenship as UK Return ‘Changes the Equation’

The Duchess of Sussex may revive her previously abandoned application to obtain British citizenship following her family’s relocation back to the United Kingdom, according to reports citing royal insiders. When Meghan married Prince Harry in May 2018, Kensington Palace confirmed her intention to pursue British citizenship through standard statutory immigration routes without fast-tracked concessions.

However, following their abrupt withdrawal from frontline royal duties in early 2020 and subsequent move to California, the multi-year residency process was completely set aside.

A source revealed to RadarOnline:

“British citizenship was something Meghan genuinely expected to pursue when she married Harry. At that point, she believed Britain would be her permanent home, so becoming a citizen was a natural part of building her life here. Everything changed with Megxit. Once Meghan and Harry established themselves in America, there was little practical reason to continue down that road. Returning to Britain changes the equation again. She may not rush off tomorrow to study for and sit a citizenship test, but it is something that could logically come back onto the table and be revived if Britain once again becomes their long-term family base.”

The development highlights an interesting contrast with Prince Harry’s administrative status: despite spending six continuous years living in California, the Duke never sought US naturalization, explicitly clarifying last year that he had “no plans” to become an American citizen while retaining ownership of their Montecito estate.

Should Meghan choose to formally reapply and navigate the standard residency requirements and the Life in the UK examination, the step would carry significant strategic and symbolic weight, signaling a determined long-term commitment to anchoring her public and family life in Britain despite current institutional tensions with the Crown.