An alleged initiative, reportedly dubbed 'Project Thaw,' aimed at improving the relationship between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the British Royal Family, as well as with the public, has reportedly achieved only partial success. While arrangements have been made for the couple and their children to visit the UK and for a meeting with King Charles, deeper familial rifts appear to persist.
The initiative's goal was to 'warm up' the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's strained relationship with the Royal Family and the British public, which had cooled considerably after they stepped back from royal duties and spoke critically of the family in media engagements and Harry's memoir.
Harry and Meghan are expected to travel to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for the first time since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022. The children had not been in the UK since June 2022. For their upcoming visit, the Sussexes have reportedly been offered accommodation at a royal residence, and King Charles is expected to meet with them. This follows a meeting in September 2025, which was their first face-to-face encounter in 19 months.
The need for such an initiative is partly attributed to the couple losing their automatic right to taxpayer-funded security after relocating to North America. Harry had previously expressed devastation over this, stating he could not envision bringing his wife and children back to the UK under such circumstances. The current visit's security arrangements appear to have satisfied him.
However, according to reports, the project has failed in two key areas. Firstly, the relationship between Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, remains deeply fractured. A source close to William and Catherine reportedly stated that the matter of Harry is no longer discussed and that William has made it clear he wants no involvement with his brother. This stance has not changed, and William reportedly leaves the matter of Harry to their father.
The second area where 'Project Thaw' has reportedly fallen short is in improving the Sussexes' standing with the British public. Reports suggest there has been no increase in public enthusiasm for the couple, which is seen as unsurprising given their past criticisms of the Royal Family without issuing apologies. The prospect of Meghan offering a conciliatory gesture to win back public favor is met with skepticism.
The 'Project Thaw' initiative was reportedly conceived by figures within the government and at Buckingham Palace to address the fallout from the Sussexes' departure from royal life and their subsequent public statements.