Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may find a welcoming committee among a circle of friends and royal relatives as they reportedly plan to establish a home in Britain after six years in Montecito. Despite strained relations with some members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, a number of individuals are cited as potential allies.
Among those mentioned are Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, and brothers Charles and Thomas van Straubenzee. The Duke of Westminster, a close friend of both princes and godfather to Archie, reportedly opted not to invite Harry and Meghan to his recent wedding to avoid overshadowing the event. Charles and Thomas van Straubenzee, who have been described as a second family to the princes, have a long-standing connection with Harry, with Charlie having served as an usher at the Sussexes' wedding and Harry being godfather to Charlie's daughter. Thomas van Straubenzee is noted as a close friend of Prince William.
Trusted advisers like Mark Dyer, a former Welsh Guards officer and mentor to Harry after his mother's death, are also seen as potential points of contact. Dyer, who served as an equerry to King Charles and was appointed to look after the young princes, has remained a confidant and was a godfather to Archie.
Meghan also has a network of friends from before her relationship with Harry. PR guru Isabel May, who reportedly assisted Meghan upon her arrival in the UK, and Markus Anderson, a director at Soho House, are mentioned. Additionally, Princess Eugenie, Prince Harry's cousin, has a history of closeness with the couple, including visiting them in California and appearing in their Netflix series. Their relationship predates Meghan's romance with Harry, and they reportedly have holiday homes in Portugal.
Other figures identified as having maintained ties include Guy Pelly, a friend to both William and Harry since their teenage years, who has been described as a 'court jester' and organized Prince William's stag do. Pelly was seen in conversation with King Charles at a recent British Embassy event. Fashion designer Misha Nonoo, who met Meghan in 2014, and her former husband Alexander Gilkes, an Eton college peer of Princes William and Harry, are also noted. Gilkes's ex-wife Misha is believed to have introduced Meghan to Princess Eugenie.
Violet von Westenholz, whose parents are friends with King Charles and Queen Camilla, is also mentioned. Violet herself has known Prince Harry since they were teenagers and has been linked to introducing the couple.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who served as an equerry to the Queen Mother and later as a private secretary to William and Harry, is also seen as a potential mediator due to his enduring bond with both brothers. He played a role in guiding their military careers and assisting Kate Middleton's integration into the royal family.
While King Charles is understood to welcome opportunities to spend more time with his grandchildren, the couple has reportedly