Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Reported U.K. Return Could Create New Pressure for Prince William and the Monarchy

Prince Harry, seen above with Markle in 2022, previously said he couldn’t “see a world” where he moved back to his homeland.Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s reported plan to spend an extended period back in the United Kingdom is already raising fresh questions inside royal circles — particularly about what the move could mean for Prince William.

According to Page Six, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to return to Britain later this month after six years based primarily in Southern California. While the move is not being described as permanent, royal reporter Tom Sykes believes it could create a series of difficult situations for the Prince of Wales and the wider monarchy.

“It’s a huge slap in the face for William, and it does also create serious risks for the monarchy,” Sykes told the outlet.

His concern centers on the fact that Harry and William’s relationship remains deeply strained, even as Harry appears to be moving physically closer to the royal family again.

Harry’s return could create awkward royal decisions

Sykes told us things “haven’t worked out in America” for Prince Harry and Markle, pictured above at a previous event, “the way they thought they would.”

Sykes argued that Harry’s presence in Britain could force the royal family to confront situations that were easier to avoid when the Sussexes were living thousands of miles away.

He pointed to possible family and ceremonial occasions that could quickly become complicated.

“What is gonna happen if Charles invites Harry to join the royal family for Christmas?” Sykes asked. “What is gonna happen if Harry wants to attend the Remembrance Day celebrations?”

Those questions highlight the practical problem created by Harry’s reported return.

The Duke stepped away from working royal life in 2020, but he remains the King’s son and a highly recognizable member of the family. If he spends considerably more time in Britain, decisions about private gatherings and public royal occasions could become harder to manage.

Sykes described the situation as creating a “huge succession” of challenges for William.

King Charles reportedly learned of the plans before the move

Sykes also said he did not believe King Charles could have been unaware of the Sussexes’ intentions.

“There’s no way” Charles “did not know” the move was happening, he said.

A source told Page Six that the King learned of Harry and Meghan’s plans on Sunday.

Sykes went further, arguing that Charles had placed himself in a difficult position by reopening the door to his younger son.

He described it as “a very very dangerous situation” and claimed Charles had “allowed himself to be manipulated into welcoming them home.”

That assessment is Sykes’ opinion rather than an official Palace position.

He also argued that Queen Elizabeth II would not have handled the situation in the same way, saying he believed “there’s no way” the late monarch would have allowed it to unfold similarly.

The move is reportedly for an extended period, not permanently

Page Six reports that Harry and Meghan are not giving up their life in California entirely.

The couple reportedly plans to remain in Britain for an extended period, while keeping their $14.5 million Montecito estate.

The move would nevertheless represent the Sussex family’s most significant return to the U.K. since Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020.

Their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are also expected to attend school in Britain during the stay.

Sykes described the development as “a huge moment for Harry and Meghan” and their children.

He admitted that although he had suspected “something was afoot,” he had not expected a development of this scale or speed.

The idea that the Sussexes could relocate by the end of the month, he said, was “quite extraordinary.”

Why Harry and Meghan reportedly want to return

Sources previously told Page Six that the couple’s decision is centered on family.

Harry reportedly wants to spend more time near King Charles, who is living with cancer, while both he and Meghan want Archie and Lilibet to have more opportunities to build relationships with relatives in Britain.

The move comes after Harry reunited with his father in July.

Harry has previously spoken openly about concerns regarding Charles’ health. In an interview with the BBC last year, he said: “I don’t know how much longer my father has.”

That reunion appears to have been an important moment in the changing relationship between father and son.

Sykes questions whether California worked out as expected

While family is reportedly the central reason behind the move, Sykes suggested another factor could be involved.

He argued that Harry and Meghan’s life in the United States had not developed exactly as they may have expected.

“It’s very clear the things haven’t worked out in America the way they thought they would,” he said.

Meghan launched her lifestyle brand As Ever and hosted the Netflix series With Love, Meghan, which ran for two seasons.

Sykes suggested the Sussexes’ current circumstances may also have a financial dimension.

“I think if there was another hundred-million-dollar deal on the table they wouldn’t be rushing home,” he said.

That claim is Sykes’ interpretation and has not been confirmed by Harry, Meghan or their representatives.

Harry previously said he could not imagine bringing his family back

The reported move is particularly striking because Harry had previously expressed serious doubts about returning to Britain with Meghan and their children.

In 2025, he said he “can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.”

At the time, security remained one of his biggest concerns.

Harry has continued to wait for a review of his security arrangements by the government committee Ravec, and it remains unclear what protection will be available to his family during an extended stay.

The contrast between his earlier remarks and the current reports shows how much may have changed over the past year.

William remains the biggest unresolved issue

Whatever progress Harry may have made with Charles, the relationship with William appears to remain frozen.

There has been no confirmation that the brothers have spoken or that William supports Harry’s decision to spend more time in Britain.

That unresolved feud is why Sykes believes the move could become much more than a private family decision.

Harry’s physical return means the royal family could repeatedly face questions about whether he should be included in gatherings, ceremonies or public moments — and how William would respond.

For now, the Sussexes’ return is being described as an extended stay rather than a permanent relocation.

But after six years in California, even that temporary shift is significant enough to reopen old tensions.

Harry may be moving closer to his father and his homeland, but whether that brings him any closer to William remains another matter entirely.