Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to the United Kingdom could place renewed pressure on Prince William as the brothers continue navigating their deeply fractured relationship. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to relocate with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet for an extended period, bringing Harry physically closer to King Charles while raising questions about royal holidays, national ceremonies and other family events. Royal reporter Tom Sykes believes the arrangement could create a difficult situation for William, particularly if Charles begins including Harry in more royal family gatherings.
5Sykes told Page Six that the Sussexes’ decision represents a “huge slap in the face for William, and it does also create serious risks for the monarchy.” The reporter argued that the continuing feud between Harry and William could create a “huge succession” of additional “challenges” for the Prince of Wales.
“What is gonna happen if Charles invites Harry to join the royal family for Christmas? What is gonna happen if Harry wants to attend the Remembrance Day celebrations?” Sykes asked.
Harry and Meghan will remain non-working royals and are not expected to resume official duties. However, their presence in Britain could still place them at the center of conversations about private family gatherings and public royal occasions.
Neither Harry nor William has publicly addressed whether the relocation could lead to a reconciliation.
Expert Claims King Charles Knew About The Move
5Sykes also rejected the suggestion that King Charles had no advance knowledge of Harry and Meghan’s plans. The reporter said there is “no way” Charles “did not know” that the move was coming.
A source told Page Six that the monarch learned of the Sussexes’ decision on Sunday, shortly before reports of the relocation became public. Sykes called it “a very very dangerous situation” and claimed Charles “allowed himself to be manipulated into welcoming them home.”
He also argued that “there’s no way that the late Queen Elizabeth II would’ve allowed this to happen.” Those comments only seem to reflect Sykes’ personal assessment of the family dynamics. Buckingham Palace has not publicly characterized the Sussexes’ return as a threat to the monarchy.
The Sussexes’ Relocation Happened Faster Than Expected
5Harry and Meghan are expected to return to Britain with Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, later this month. Their children will reportedly begin attending school in the UK in September. Sykes called the relocation “a huge moment for Harry and Megan” and their children.
Although the royal reporter suspected “something was afoot,” he said he “never imagined it would be anything of this magnitude or they’d be happening this quickly.” He described the family’s plan to relocate before the end of the month as “quite extraordinary.”
According to the Associated Press, the Sussexes will live at a private residence outside London rather than on a royal estate. They also plan to retain their properties in Montecito, California, and Portugal. The arrangement suggests that Harry and Meghan are expanding their family’s ties to Britain rather than completely abandoning their lives in the United States.
Harry And Meghan Want Their Children Closer To The Royal Family
5Sources claim the Sussexes decided to return so Archie and Lilibet could spend more time with their extended family. The move could provide the children with more opportunities to build relationships with King Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment.
It could also place Archie and Lilibet closer to their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. However, Harry’s unresolved conflict with William could complicate efforts to bring the younger generation together.
Harry and Meghan stepped away from their positions as working royals in 2020 before establishing a home in Montecito. They have since discussed their experiences within the royal family through their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan” and Harry’s 2023 memoir, “Spare.”
Those projects included personal allegations about royal life and contributed to the deterioration of Harry’s relationships with Charles and William.
Royal Reporter Questions The Couple’s Success In America
5The Sussexes launched several entertainment and business ventures after moving to California. Meghan developed her As Ever lifestyle company and hosted two seasons of the Netflix series “With Love, Meghan.” The couple also created projects through Archewell Productions and previously signed a podcasting agreement with Spotify.
Sykes nevertheless believes their American ventures failed to deliver the results they expected. The reporter said it is “very clear the things haven’t worked out in America the way they thought they would.”
He also suggested financial considerations may have influenced their decision to return. “I think if there was another hundred-million-dollar deal on the table they wouldn’t be rushing home,” Sykes said.
The claim is Sykes’ opinion. Harry and Meghan have not publicly stated that financial difficulties motivated their relocation.