Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of NBC's "Today," has voiced her surprise and confusion regarding reports that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning to relocate back to the United Kingdom with their two children. The news, announced Wednesday night, comes six years after the couple left their roles as senior members of the British royal family to establish a life in California.
Hager, speaking on the August 20 episode of "Today with Jenna & Sheinelle," admitted that she initially thought an alert about the potential move was a "prank." She noted the significant gap since the couple's departure, highlighting that their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, have not visited their grandparents in the UK for four years. "Think about little kids' lives, how much changes in four years. It's like, [they're] totally different humans," Hager commented.
She likened the Sussexes' initial exit from royal life to "lighting a match" and blowing things up, suggesting their subsequent return might offer a lesson to others. "It's a lesson for everybody. When you leave something and say you're never going back... [don't] light a match," Hager stated, adding that they "threw whatever at the institutions that exist in the UK."
Co-host Sheinelle Jones interjected, recalling their move to the U.S. by saying, "They were like, 'We're out, hello US.'" However, both hosts acknowledged the possibility of the couple's motivations shifting, with Jones theorizing it could be about spending more time with family as parents age. "I feel like our parents aren't getting any younger, our grandparents, and so you want your kids to know their grandparents and their family members," Jones said.
Despite understanding the potential personal reasons for a move, Hager reiterated that the surprise stems from the dramatic nature of their initial departure. "I totally understand the move, but I think the reason people are surprised was because there was a little bit of..." she trailed off.
Prince Harry and Meghan are reportedly expected to establish a private home base in Britain while maintaining their residences in Montecito, California, and Portugal. They are also understood to be planning to enroll their children in a UK school. King Charles III, reportedly informed of the plans shortly before the public announcement, is said to welcome the opportunity for more private time with his son and grandchildren.
Buckingham Palace has indicated that its official position on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remains unchanged. Prince Harry is still reportedly estranged from his brother, Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
The couple moved to California in 2020, securing significant media deals, including a reported $100 million agreement with Netflix and a $20 million contract with Spotify. However, their initial Netflix contract concluded, and Meghan's series, "With Love, Meghan," ran for only two seasons.