Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s expected return to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, is already stirring fresh anxiety inside royal circles, with experts warning that the move could create a new crisis for the monarchy.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams described the prospect as a “huge crisis for the monarchy,” arguing that uncertainty surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has historically made the royal family uneasy. “It creates a crisis because the royals’ reactions are often poor when they don’t know what to expect,” he said. “And in this case, you certainly don’t know what to expect.”
Fitzwilliams added that if Harry only informed King Charles of his plans on Sunday, the timing would be particularly harsh.
He also argued that the decision to return to Britain reflected what he described as the Sussexes’ failure to establish themselves in the United States, and suggested Harry may be thinking ahead to the day Prince William becomes king. “They have chosen to do this during Charles’ reign knowing that their options may be very limited when William becomes king,” he said.
Fitzwilliams predicted that William could eventually scrutinize the Sussexes’ titles and potentially those of their children, viewing the couple’s conduct as evidence that they could not be trusted. Sources close to Harry and Meghan, however, insist that a return to the royal fold is not part of the couple’s plan.
Fitzwilliams remains skeptical. He said the couple’s physical presence in Britain could give them an opportunity to rebuild public goodwill and exert influence simply by being close to the royal family again.
“They are still in the line of succession,” he noted, adding that a sustained charm offensive could potentially shift public opinion, much as attitudes toward Queen Camilla changed over time.
Talk of Harry returning to Britain has persisted for years and does not appear to be the result of a sudden decision. Reports have repeatedly suggested that Harry has struggled to fully settle into life in the United States and that the distance from his family and homeland has weighed on him personally and affected his marriage.
“I don’t believe Meghan wanted to return, but Harry did,” Fitzwilliams said. He argued that Harry had lacked a clear role in the United States and described the couple’s American ventures as unsuccessful.
At the same time, Fitzwilliams acknowledged that the Sussex brand remains powerful enough to make their reception in Britain difficult to predict. “The fact is they have a brand and everybody knows who they are,” he said. “When they do and say things, they get coverage, and from that point of view you simply don’t know what will happen when they are actually here.”
Harry and Meghan
(Photo: Instagram)
So how might the return be received by Prince William and Princess Kate? Not warmly, according to royal author Christopher Andersen, who wrote Brothers and Wives.
Andersen said William and Kate’s likely reaction would amount to: “Here we go again.” He argued that the Prince and Princess of Wales already have enough pressure as they try to strengthen the monarchy and prepare for its future.
“First and foremost, I can only imagine William and Kate are tearing their hair out,” Andersen told Us Weekly. “They already have so much on their plate as they try to bolster the monarchy and carry it into the future. They really don’t need Harry and Meghan on their doorstep, literally.”
The Sussexes’ return is also expected to attract intense media attention, potentially producing a new wave of tabloid coverage that could overshadow other senior royals. Andersen said King Charles and Queen Camilla in particular would be unlikely to welcome having the spotlight diverted from them, and suggested William would feel the same. That concern is especially sensitive as Charles continues to deal with cancer.
Harry has repeatedly signaled that he hopes to reconcile with his older brother and sister-in-law. Kate is reportedly more open to reconciliation and is said to have previously encouraged William to meet Harry and Meghan during one of their visits to Britain.
William, however, is widely reported to remain far less willing to forgive or forget. One source close to Harry said the prince is well aware that William “can be very vindictive.”
William and Harry
(Photo: Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
At the same time, reports suggest Harry believes it is unfair that the burden of repairing the relationship has largely been placed on him. Sources said that dynamic is also one he has been accustomed to throughout his life.
Harry and Meghan’s arrival is unlikely to make life easier for the Prince and Princess of Wales as they prepare for their future leadership of the monarchy.
Fitzwilliams also argued that the timing of the return announcement had already caused irritation inside the royal family. He said news of the Sussexes’ plans emerged alongside an update from Queen Camilla about King Charles and his cancer treatment, overshadowing her remarks.
According to Fitzwilliams, that did not go down well with Camilla. But he suggested the Sussexes were unlikely to be particularly troubled by the reaction. “The Sussexes don’t care about that,” he said.