Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the United Kingdom has sparked debate among royal commentators, who suggest the couple is aiming to secure the "best of both worlds." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly seeking a U.K. residence while maintaining their primary home and business interests in Montecito, California.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told Fox News Digital that this arrangement appears to allow the couple access to Britain and the royal family, alongside the credibility of Harry's royal identity, while preserving the freedom and commercial opportunities they associate with their life outside the U.K. Schofield noted that this strategy resembles the "half-in, half-out" role that Queen Elizabeth II previously rejected when the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
Reports suggest the couple's wish list for a U.K. home includes a nine-bedroom estate, a private film studio, and extensive land. This has led to scrutiny, particularly given past complaints about royal life.
Schofield also expressed skepticism about the Sussexes' stated intentions, highlighting perceived contradictions in their public statements. "Harry and Meghan never do what they say or say what they mean," she stated, referencing Harry's previous comments about the U.K. not being safe for his family and contrasting them with reports of a potential 15-year plan in Britain. Schofield described the current U.K. visit as a "trial run rather than a definitive homecoming."
Richard Fitzwilliams, another royal commentator, observed that Harry and Meghan increasingly present themselves as an "international" power couple, avoiding a strong tie to either the U.K. or the U.S. "They reportedly see themselves as ‘international citizens,’" Fitzwilliams said. "They claim that their balance of business activities and trips abroad over the last six years is a success."
Helena Chard, a British broadcaster and photographer, suggested that the couple needs to remain relevant and that their U.K. visits serve this purpose, potentially aiding Harry in his pursuit of state-funded police protection. Chard indicated that enrolling their children in a British school could also be a factor.
Experts also question the couple's emotional investment in making Britain a permanent home. Schofield suggested that while Harry may feel an emotional pull to reconnect with his country, family, and a part of his identity, Meghan's experience with royal life was reportedly unhappy, leading to different levels of enthusiasm for settling in Britain. "Harry may see Britain as coming home. Meghan may see Britain as somewhere useful to spend part of the year," Schofield commented. "Those are two very different emotional investments."