Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Will Not Be Welcomed With 'Open Arms' Upon UK Return, Ex-Aide Warns

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be welcomed with 'open arms' upon their UK return, according to a former royal aide, as the Sussexes prepare to move back to Britain with their children for an extended stay.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to establish a private, non-royal residence outside London, with Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, due to start at British schools in September. The couple will retain their home in Montecito, California.

To recall, Harry previously said he could not envisage bringing his family back to Britain without adequate security, making the latest development all the more striking.

King Charles was reportedly informed of the plans earlier this month, and while he is understood to welcome the opportunity to spend more time with his son and grandchildren, there will be no change to Harry and Meghan's status as private, non-working members of the Royal Family.

Rebuilding Trust After Years Away

Alisa Anderson, who served as press secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, said the couple face a steep climb to repair relationships damaged by years of public criticism of the institution and strained relations with members of the Royal Family.

'I don't think they will be welcomed back with open arms,' she said. 'They will have to rebuild that trust and affection with the family and the public.'

The warning lands as the Sussexes prepare for their return, six years after they stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California. Their new base will be a private home, not a royal residence, reportedly just outside London, while they retain their property in the US.

A source close to Harry said the move has been in the pipeline for some time, with the timing partly influenced by the children reaching school age. 'Step by step, they want to be in the U.K.,' the source said.

'They want to have the time and give the kids the opportunity to be here.' Another insider claimed Harry 'never really stopped missing home' and wanted Archie and Lilibet to understand 'the world he grew up in and where their family comes from.'

A source familiar with the couple's plans told ABC News that they have not yet decided exactly how long they will remain in Britain, describing the move instead as an 'extended period of time'.

Archie is due to enter Year 3, while Lilibet will start Year 1, according to reports. The exact school and location of the family's residence are being kept private, with security arrangements remaining a significant consideration.

A Cautious Homecoming Amid Online Debate

The decision has ignited debate, with some welcoming the prospect of the children being schooled in Britain and others sceptical about the couple's motives for returning.

Reports surrounding Meghan's possible return to acting have also been conflicting.

Tina Brown, royal author and former editor of Vanity Fair, reportedly claimed that an offer for Meghan to appear in Season 3 of Guy Ritchie's Netflix drama The Gentlemen 'has been withdrawn' following criticism of the proposed casting.

However, other reporting suggests discussions over a potential role remain ongoing, and no deal has been publicly confirmed.

British entertainment writer Rob Shuter has separately claimed on his Naughty But Nice Substack that Meghan had agreed to the move for only six months to make Harry happy and help their marriage. There is no independent confirmation of that claim, and neither Harry nor Meghan has publicly suggested their marriage influenced the decision.

Meanwhile, a source close to Meghan reportedly said she 'feels very fortunate that they're able to give Archie and Lilibet the opportunity to experience both worlds.'

Public reporting indicates Harry and Meghan will remain private, non-working members of the Royal Family, and there are no plans for them to resume official duties.

The couple also face the challenge of rebuilding relationships after years of acrimony, with Anderson's remarks underscoring the scale of the task ahead. Questions remain over the family's longer-term security arrangements and exactly how long they intend to stay in Britain.

What is clear is that the Sussexes' return marks a significant shift in a story that has dominated headlines for more than six years and places Harry and Meghan physically closer to the Royal Family without restoring their former place within the institution.