King Charles III and Prince William are reportedly holding a private meeting at Balmoral, the royal family's Scottish estate, to discuss the unexpected impending return of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Britain after six years in the United States. The gathering, described as a 'Balmoral summit,' includes other members of the royal family who were also in attendance for the monarch's annual summer break.
The news of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's relocation back to the UK emerged on a Wednesday evening, with sources indicating King Charles was informed on the preceding Sunday, and Prince William was also given advance notice. This development may have come as a surprise, as reports suggest the Sussexes' return was not discussed during their meeting with the King and Queen Consort in early July.
A key point of discussion at the summit is expected to be the significant security costs associated with the Sussexes' presence in the UK. The couple plan to reside in a non-royal property outside of London, and decisions regarding taxpayer funding for their security remain unresolved. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are set to begin attending British schools in early September, raising further questions about security arrangements given their public profile.
Prince Harry has previously engaged in a legal dispute with the Home Office concerning security provisions for his family in the UK. Following his and Meghan's decision to step down as senior royals in January 2020 and their subsequent move to California in March 2020, their level of protection was altered.
Estimates suggest that providing round-the-clock security for the family of four could cost between £3 million and £5 million annually. The potential for British taxpayers to bear this expense has been met with public skepticism, with some former officials deeming it an "incredible expensive scenario" and expressing difficulty in justifying the cost to a "hard-pressed British taxpayer."
While Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, have not publicly commented on the Sussexes' return, sources suggest the move could offer an opportunity for reconciliation between the estranged brothers. The Princess of Wales, in particular, is seen by some as a potential mediator due to her understanding of family importance.
Despite their relocation plans, Harry and Meghan are expected to retain their residences in California and Portugal. Their Montecito mansion, purchased in 2020, and a villa on Portugal's Melides coast are reportedly not being sold.
Public opinion in Britain regarding the Sussexes' return appears divided. Recent polling indicates that only 21% of Britons favor their return, with a significant portion expressing uncertainty. While public perception of Prince Harry has seen a slight improvement over the past year, both he and Meghan Markle are viewed unfavorably by a majority of the British public. Among the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales remain the most popular figures, followed by King Charles.