Princess Diana's niece, Lady Eliza Spencer, has become the first member of Prince Harry's family to publicly comment on his return to the United Kingdom.
Lady Eliza Spencer, 34, described her cousin's presence back in Britain as "exciting" while attending a launch event for her Lala V rosé. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Birmingham on the same day. The daughter of Earl Spencer, who hosted the Sussexes at the family's ancestral home last month, told The Mirror, "We would love to be able to find some time to visit."
When asked about potentially sharing wine-making insights with Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, 45, who launched her own rosé last July, Lady Eliza responded with an open-ended "Maybe!" Lady Eliza and her fiancé, Channing Millerd, marked the launch of their £27-a-bottle wine at luxury retailer Hackstons in Knightsbridge.
Prince Harry, Meghan, and their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, were reportedly heading to their new home, widely believed to be in the Cotswolds, while Lady Eliza was celebrating her new business venture. The socialite and drinks entrepreneur is currently the only family member to have spoken publicly about Harry's return to the UK after nearly six years living in Montecito, California.
It is not yet known if the Sussexes will be invited to Lady Eliza's upcoming nuptials. She recently hinted at wedding plans with her South African businessman fiancé, suggesting she was "wedding venue hunting" during a trip to the Amalfi Coast. The couple has previously expressed a desire for a destination wedding, with Lake Como being one of several potential locations.
The Sussexes arrived at Birmingham Airport on Wednesday via a private plane from California, beginning their new life in the UK. They are thought to have traveled with their children on a luxury business jet from Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles. The family, along with their dogs Mia and Pula, are setting up a home in the UK, with plans to maintain an "international" family status by keeping their homes in California and Portugal. Their decision to return to Britain comes after they stepped down as working royals in 2020 and purchased a home in Montecito.
Meghan is reportedly pursuing an acting role and is said to be in discussions for a part in the third series of Guy Ritchie's "The Gentlemen." Harry and Meghan are expected to reside in a non-royal residence outside of London, and their children have been enrolled in UK schools set to begin next week.
This return follows a visit last month where the couple brought Archie and Lilibet to see their grandfather, King Charles, for the first time in four years at his Highgrove home. The prospect of returning to the UK was not believed to have been discussed during that meeting, and the King was reportedly informed of their decision three days before it was publicly revealed. Some reports suggest the Sussexes' stay in the UK may be temporary, potentially lasting only until autumn, as they retain their homes in California and Portugal.
In other ventures, Meghan recently unveiled "Spiced Apple Butter," the latest addition to her lifestyle brand As Ever, described as capturing the essence of fall. She also shared a humorous Instagram story featuring a tea towel with a chicken-related pun, following news that their chickens are remaining in California.
Reports have also surfaced suggesting King Charles wishes to see his estranged sons, Harry and Prince William, together again. According to Harry's autobiography, Charles made a plea to his sons during a difficult meeting after Prince Philip's funeral in 2021, asking them not to make his final years "a misery." The relationship between the brothers has been strained since Harry and Meghan's 2018 wedding, reportedly worsening after Harry's public statements about the Royal Family in interviews and his memoir.
Sources close to Harry have indicated that he has "never really stopped missing home" since leaving Britain for the U.S. six years ago, feeling a lack of "connection and belonging." He also reportedly wishes for his children, Archie and Lilibet, to "understand the world he grew up in and where their family comes from." This move also allows for closer proximity to King Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment, and provides an opportunity for the children to connect with the Spencer family.
Earl Spencer hosted Harry and Meghan at Althorp House during their previous visit. Harry may also find support from Diana's sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, who maintain close relationships with both brothers. These maternal cousins and their families have previously traveled to Montecito for Princess Lilibet's christening, an event absent of other royal attendees. The potential move to the Cotswolds could bring Harry closer to his maternal cousins and introduce Archie and Lilibet to a new set of Spencer relatives.