Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to be living a life that Queen Elizabeth II once refused to endorse: a "half-in, half-out" arrangement. Following their step back as senior royals in 2020, the couple has returned to the United Kingdom for an extended stay, with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, set to begin school.
This current setup, where the Sussexes will reside outside London in a private home while maintaining their California residence and a property in Portugal, is seen by some royal experts as reminiscent of the proposal Queen Elizabeth II rejected. The late monarch's stance was clear: one could not be both a working royal and pursue independent commercial ventures.
Royal experts shared their views with Fox News Digital, with some suggesting Harry might feel vindicated by this new flexibility. However, they caution that this arrangement does not equate to a victory, as it deviates from the firm distinction the queen maintained between the Crown and individuals.
"I see absolutely no reason to believe she would have changed her mind," said Kinsey Schofield, host of the YouTube show "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered." "Queen Elizabeth spent 70 years protecting the distinction between the crown and the individual. It seems unlikely that one of the defining judgements of her final years would suddenly have become negotiable."
On August 26, King Charles III's office reiterated the couple's status. A letter sent by the Lord Chamberlain confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not resume official duties. The statement affirmed that their position is distinct from that of working royals, allowing them personal latitude for financial independence and privacy. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance, and their charitable work is undertaken in a private capacity, making them akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.
In 2020, the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties, citing intense press scrutiny and a perceived lack of support from the palace. At the time, Buckingham Palace stated that it was not possible to continue with the responsibilities of public service while stepping away from the work of the royal family.
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich explained that the queen's directive was unequivocally "all in or all out." While King Charles may be more open to family reconciliation, Prince William reportedly remains resistant to any formal restoration of royal duties for Harry.
The concept of a "half-in, half-out" role was reportedly discussed and rejected at the Sandringham Summit in 2020, where the terms of the Sussexes' departure were finalized. Harry's memoir, "Spare," recounts his surprise at the immediate drafting of a statement for a full departure, suggesting a pre-determined outcome.
Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner believes the palace made a mistake in rejecting the proposal outright, suggesting it could have allowed the Sussexes to remain within the royal fold without public expense, and that the decision was hypocritical.
Schofield countered that the queen had prior experience with the challenges of such arrangements, citing Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie's earlier attempts to balance commercial careers with royal duties. This led to discomfort for the institution and potential conflicts of interest, ultimately prompting them to become full-time working royals.
"The queen might have wanted more family connection with Harry and Meghan, but she wouldn’t have compromised the constitutional aspects of such an arrangement," said Fordwich. "She would also have been deeply wary of the commercial conflicts it could create. It would have set a precedent for other royals wanting to have it both ways."
Before their return to Britain, author Simon Vigar suggested that a "hybrid" model was inevitable, with the Sussexes initially believing they could maintain a business life and private life while still supporting the queen for parts of the year.
Since stepping back, the Sussexes have secured significant deals with Netflix and Spotify and have shared their experiences through interviews, documentaries, and Harry's memoir, which have reportedly strained their relationships within the royal family.
In 2025, Harry expressed a desire for reconciliation and spending more time with his father, King Charles III, who is undergoing cancer treatment.
According to a source close to the Sussexes, Meghan will continue managing her company, As Ever, from the U.K., while Harry will focus on his U.K.-based charities. The couple privately met with King Charles III at his Highgrove estate in July, marking the first time their children had seen their grandfather since the late queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Schofield raised questions about Harry's regrets concerning his grandmother's final years, noting that while Harry has spoken warmly of their relationship, his choices during that period added to the family's difficulties. She highlighted the unrecoverable nature of conversations and decisions with the late queen.
"Whatever grievances Harry had with the institution, his grandmother was elderly, recently widowed and approaching the end of an entire life of service. There are conversations he can never have with her and decisions he can never revisit with her."