Prince William and Princess Kate are preparing for Prince George's start at Eton College this month, a significant milestone for the family. However, the return of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan to the United Kingdom with their children, Archie and Lilibet, could introduce a new source of family tension, according to royal experts.
George, 13, is expected to begin at Eton College on September 8, marking his departure from home for boarding school. This occasion comes as Harry and Meghan are in the UK, though royal observers suggest the couple plans to avoid public comments or photographs that could overshadow George's first day.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told Fox News Digital that the Sussexes' presence could stir unpredictable emotions for the Wales family during a sensitive time. "I have tremendous sympathy for the Prince and Princess of Wales," Schofield said. "Prince George is expected to start at Eton on September 8, which means this was their last Scottish summer holiday together before their teenage son leaves home for his first term at boarding school." Schofield added, "That is a huge emotional milestone for any family, and instead of being able to quietly enjoy that time together, Harry and Meghan have brought the circus back to town."
Schofield indicated that William and Kate may need to manage media attention surrounding Harry and Meghan while striving to maintain privacy for their children. "What I think will be particularly difficult for William and Catherine is the unpredictability," Schofield stated. "Harry and Meghan have a history of making their own plans, generating enormous media attention and operating outside the traditional royal structure." She continued, "Now William and Catherine are sending their eldest child away from home for the first time while simultaneously having to navigate the Sussexes' return and all of the uncertainty surrounding it."
Schofield emphasized that George should be allowed to commence his new academic chapter without being drawn into family speculation. "George deserves to begin this new chapter of his life without being dragged into another cycle of speculation about his uncle and aunt," she said. "William and Catherine have worked incredibly hard to give their children stability and privacy, and I imagine they would have preferred this important family moment to happen without the Sussex circus playing out in the background."
Richard Fitzwilliams, another royal commentator, suggested that the Sussexes' return could heighten pressure on the royal family and the Palace. "The royal family is under pressure," Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. "The Palace is not at its best reacting to the unexpected, and the Sussexes know that, hence this strange game they seem to be playing."
Fitzwilliams questioned the motivation behind Harry and Meghan's return, pondering whether it signals a genuine commitment to Britain or an effort to maintain their international profile. "They reportedly see themselves as 'international citizens,'" he noted. "They claim that their balance of business activities and trips abroad over the last six years is a success."
The couple's arrival has also focused attention on their public image and ongoing security concerns. "They are making a statement by arriving by private jet," Fitzwilliams observed. "Harry is apparently still wanting an apology. He may or may not get the security he craves, or part of it."
Fitzwilliams commented on the Sussexes' continued challenge with public opinion, referencing YouGov popularity ratings. "The people would love them to depart, though the circus they create is weird and anthropologically fascinating," he said.
Royal broadcaster Neil Sean previously described an agreement for Harry and Meghan to "lay low" during George's Eton debut as an effort to prevent the Sussexes from overshadowing the event. Sean stated, "The Sussexes have assured the king that they will not hijack or derail major royal events, notably the first day of school term for Prince George at Eton." Sean added, "By that, no pictures or comment from either one on that day in September."
Royal commentator Amanda Matta noted that George's first day at Eton carries significance beyond a personal milestone. "Prince George's start at Eton isn't just a personal milestone; it's the beginning of his public-facing path as heir to the throne," Matta said. "The Palace is incredibly protective of that narrative, and any competing headline — especially one involving Harry and Meghan — threatens to distract from the 'steady, future-focused' brand the Prince and Princess of Wales have worked so hard to build." Matta also remarked that it would "certainly be a shame for his first days at Eton to see him embroiled in a 'feud' narrative with his uncle and aunt."
Harry and Meghan, who stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 and moved to California, are expected to maintain ties to the U.S. while re-establishing a presence in Britain. Schofield described their reported UK plans as "a trial run rather than a definitive homecoming." She suggested, "The fact that this is apparently not intended to be a permanent move tells us that Harry and Meghan are still hedging their bets." Schofield believes the couple seeks "the best of both worlds — access to Britain, proximity to the monarchy and the credibility that comes with Harry's royal identity, while maintaining the freedom and commercial opportunities they associate with life outside the U.K."
British broadcaster Helena Chard commented that Harry and Meghan are "keeping their options open," noting that "Meghan will travel backwards and forwards. Her heart is in the U.S., not the U.K."
As the Sussexes settle back into Britain, William and Kate may face the challenge of maintaining focus on George's future while navigating renewed scrutiny surrounding Harry and Meghan. "The Sussexes generate headlines simply by existing in public space," Matta previously observed. "That's been true since 2018 and hasn't changed with their location or job titles."
Representatives for Archewell, Kensington Palace, and Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to requests for comment.