Allies of former President Donald Trump have suggested that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's reported decision to move back to the United Kingdom is a result of their alleged dislike for the current U.S. president. Katie Miller, wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, commented on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "They are moving back to Britain because they don't like President Trump." She linked this to a report suggesting the couple's disillusionment with the White House ahead of the midterm elections.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed their intention to return to Britain for an extended period, with their children, Archie and Lilibet, reportedly enrolled in a British school. This move comes six years after the couple initially relocated to the U.S. The decision was reportedly leaked to multiple outlets, some of which explicitly linked it to tensions between the couple and the Trump administration.
Tensions between Trump and the Duke of Sussex have surfaced previously. Notably, Harry rebuked Trump after the former president questioned NATO allies' contributions during the war in Afghanistan. Harry, an Afghanistan veteran, stated that "every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States ... in pursuit of our shared security," emphasizing that "Allies answered that call." He added, "I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there."
Other reports suggest Harry and Meghan's decision to leave their Montecito, California, home may also be influenced by Harry's belief that Meghan is increasingly appreciated by the British public. This notion was reportedly fueled by the interest shown in his wife during a recent visit to Birmingham.
Upon their return, Harry and Meghan will reside in a non-royal capacity and will not be working members of the Royal Family. King Charles was informed of his son's plans shortly before the announcement. While the King reportedly welcomes private family time, Buckingham Palace has emphasized that there will be "no alteration" to the Duke and Duchess's status as private individuals.
The couple is expected to retain their California residence and also own a property in Portugal. This reported move back to the UK occurs six years after they stepped down as working royals. At that time, Queen Elizabeth II confirmed they would not continue with the responsibilities of public service and would not adopt a "half-in, half-out" approach to their royal duties. Harry was subsequently stripped of his honorary military titles. The couple's initial announcement to leave royal life without consulting senior members of the Royal Family drew significant criticism.
Prior to this announcement, the Sussexes had reportedly been rebuilding a presence in Europe, having purchased a property in Portugal in 2023. Harry is also scheduled to visit Britain next month for a WellChild Awards event. It remains unclear whether this latest move will be permanent.