Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's UK Return: Why Prince William Is Reportedly 'Very Stubborn' About Healing

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are due to return to the UK from California for an extended stay, but an unnamed family friend has reportedly said Prince William remains 'very stubborn' when it comes to repairing their fractured relationship.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to live at a private residence outside London for an extended period, with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, due to attend school in Britain in September.

The couple will not resume royal duties or move into a royal residence. They also plan to retain their homes in California and Portugal.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Return Raises Questions

For context, Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in March 2020 before moving to the United States. Since then, they have criticised aspects of the Royal Family, the British press and the UK's approach to Harry's security

Their return therefore carries significance beyond a change of address. It places the Sussexes geographically closer to William and other members of the Royal Family after six years of physical and emotional separation.

The move reportedly came as a surprise to King Charles, who was said to have learned of the plans shortly before they became public.

Buckingham Palace and Harry's spokesperson declined to comment on the relocation, although a person close to the Sussexes confirmed the reports were accurate.

Relations between Harry and Charles have recently shown signs of improvement. Harry, Meghan and their children visited Britain last month, when the King saw Archie and Lilibet for the first time since 2022.

That apparent thaw between father and son has not clearly extended to William. AP reports that relations between the brothers remain tense following years of public disputes and disclosures.

A family friend reportedly told the BBC that rebuilding the relationship would not be straightforward. 'William is very stubborn,' the friend said. 'To feel cheated by your own brother has been painful. He can't just put it behind him.'

The comments represent the unnamed friend's assessment of William's feelings rather than a public statement from the Prince of Wales. William has not publicly commented on Harry's planned return.

The remarks nevertheless illustrate why proximity may not produce the family reunion some observers expect. Harry will be back in Britain, but that does not mean the old relationship is waiting intact.

Why Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Return May Not Bring Reconciliation

Harry has repeatedly expressed a desire to end the conflict. In an interview with the BBC last year, he said, 'I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight any more.'

Harry's desire for reconciliation is public, but William's position is less clear because the Prince of Wales has not publicly detailed his views on repairing their relationship. Royal commentators and unnamed sources have instead offered differing assessments of his position.

Royal author Valentine Low reportedly told the BBC that William would not reconcile simply because of external pressure.

'If he doesn't want to reconcile with his brother because of the things he's done, the wrongs that he feels Harry's done to him, he's not going to reconcile,' Low said. He added that living closer together could nevertheless improve the chances of contact.

For the Prince of Wales, the timing also coincides with a busy period of public and family commitments. He is expected to focus on charity work, the Earthshot Prize and other engagements in the coming months. The Wales family will also face the beginning of a new school year in September.

The Sussexes' return could increase media scrutiny surrounding the brothers' relationship. Public appearances by William may prompt renewed questions about Harry, while any meeting between the brothers would attract significant international attention.

Former The Sun editor David Yelland reportedly described the rift as 'one of the biggest news stories in the world'. He argued that the Royal Family does not need a staged embrace, only confirmation that the brothers have met.

A Return Without Royal Roles

The practical terms of the move remain important. Harry and Meghan are expected to continue as non-working royals, as agreed when they left official duties. They will keep their Montecito home and their property in Portugal and are not returning to the formal structure of the monarchy.

Meghan is expected to continue her business activities from Britain, while Harry will be closer to his UK-based charitable work, according to the Associated Press. The couple's relocation is therefore expected to allow them to continue their private work while living in Britain.

It may also revive old arguments about visibility. Reuters reported that the Sussexes' return could expose them once again to the intense British media attention they sought to escape when they left royal duties.

Security arrangements are another unresolved issue following Harry's unsuccessful legal challenge over the level of publicly funded protection available to him in Britain.

The reported move has also renewed public discussion about whether geographical proximity could change the brothers' relationship. The Sussexes are not simply returning to Britain; their presence will inevitably renew scrutiny of a royal rift that has played out publicly for years.

William and Harry were once publicly close, but their relationship deteriorated following years of disputes, interviews and disclosures, including allegations made in Harry's memoir, Spare. AP reports that despite signs of improving relations between Harry and Charles, tensions between the brothers remain.

'Having Harry nearby won't change the mood,' a former colleague of William's reportedly told the BBC. 'William will need time.'

Like the family friend's remarks, that assessment comes from an unnamed source rather than William himself. Whether living in the same country will eventually lead to renewed contact between the brothers remains unknown.

For now, that is one assessment of what awaits Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Britain. The physical distance is about to disappear. Whether the brothers can narrow the personal distance remains an open question.