Princess Kate Faces ‘Hell’ As Harry And Meghan Return To UK — Royal Expert Warns Sussexes Could ‘Steal All The Available Thunder’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to Britain could create a fresh headache for Princess Kate, with one royal commentator warning that the Princess of Wales may face an especially difficult year as the Sussexes begin a more public chapter in the UK.

After six years living in California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have returned to Britain with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. But their arrival has already been followed by renewed tensions over their position within the Royal Family.

King Charles recently issued a letter making clear that Harry and Meghan remain private citizens rather than working royals. The Sussexes were reportedly surprised by the move, saying they had not been “told about this in advance”.

‘Kate’s working royal year is shaping up to be hell’

The latest concern centres on what Harry and Meghan might do next.

Harry is reportedly preparing for a series of public engagements, while Meghan is also keen to continue her own charity work. That has prompted questions over whether their increased visibility could compete for attention with the working royals.

Writing for news.com.au, royal commentator Daniela Elser argued that the Sussexes do not appear ready to disappear quietly into country life.

“It does not appear the Sussexes have any plans to sit quietly in the shires to reclusively collect delphinium cuttings and rescue dogs,” she wrote.

She then turned her attention directly to Kate, asking: “For Kate, what are the chances of Harry and Meghan’s off-brand royalling not stealing all the available thunder?”

Her verdict was particularly stark: “Kate’s new working royal year is shaping up to be hell.”

A new battle for the spotlight?

The timing could make the situation even more complicated.

The Royal Family is returning from its summer break and preparing for a new run of public engagements, with William and Kate expected to resume their busy schedules.

At the same time, Harry’s planned appearances and Meghan’s charity activities could give the Sussexes a renewed public presence in Britain.

Royal editor Hugo Vickers warned that the problem may go beyond simply attracting headlines.

He told The Sun: “The awful thing is that whenever they come to this country, if Prince William is doing one thing and Prince Harry is doing another, it will be interpreted as a competition—even if Prince Harry does not intend it to be.”

“That becomes a distraction,” he added.

‘An alternative court’

Vickers suggested that a more visible Sussex presence could ultimately create the impression of two competing royal camps.

“I don’t quite know what they want to do, but presumably, they want to raise their profile,” he said.

“If they intend to be public figures and carry out more of these appearances, they will inevitably be in competition with the royal family—effectively setting up an alternative court.”

“That is not a positive development.”

For Kate, the concern is therefore less about one individual appearance and more about what could happen if Harry and Meghan establish a sustained public presence in Britain at the same time the Prince and Princess of Wales are stepping back into the spotlight.