Prince William 'Watching Over His Shoulder' as Harry Returns to UK With Meghan and Their Children

Prince William feels his life has been 'derailed' after his brother Prince Harry and Meghan quietly returned to Britain on 26 August with their children, Archie and Lilibet, for what has been described as a long-term stay, according to a report in Vanity Fair citing sources close to the Prince.

The unannounced return, following six years in Montecito, California, has reportedly unsettled the Prince of Wales. The Vanity Fair report, citing an unidentified source, said William and Catherine were given no advance warning of the couple's decision to relocate.

One insider told the magazine: 'There's a sense that William is going to have to be watching over his shoulder the whole time. He doesn't know what his brother is going to spring on them all next.' The source's claims have not been independently verified by IBTimes UK.

The same source said the timing was particularly unwelcome, coming as the Princess of Wales continues her recovery and as Prince George prepares to start at Eton. The insider added: 'This was meant to be a happy time for him. Catherine is doing well, and George is just about to start Eton. This has just derailed them.'

Royals Weigh Sussex Return as William Watches Over His Shoulder

The Prince and Princess of Wales are currently in Scotland with King Charles and Queen Camilla, where senior royals are said to be discussing the implications of the Sussexes' return, according to a person briefed on the conversations.

Palace staff have denied that any formal summit is taking place, though the denial has not been independently verified by other sources.

Harry and Meghan stepped back as working royals in 2020, and their children are reported to have been enrolled in new schools in the Cotswolds. The couple are returning as private citizens rather than working royals and are not expected to resume official duties.

Since 2020, Harry has returned to the UK only for select occasions, including the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III.

Harry 'Delighted' To Be Back in Britain

People magazine, citing friends of the Duke of Sussex, reported he is 'delighted' to be back in his home country and keen to reconnect with old friends.

The source said the move had been planned 'for some time' and was regarded by the couple as the right step for their family, though Meghan is said to 'really love' their life in California.

The relocation is not intended as a permanent departure from the US, the insider added, but reflects 'what we are doing right now'. The return has prompted renewed speculation that William and Harry could be brought together publicly.

Royal biographer Robert Jobson told Hello!, that the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, in 2027, would be a 'quite significant' moment that could put the brothers 'on the same stage' again.

Jobson pointed to Harry's charitable work with anti-landmine causes in Angola as a continuation of Diana's legacy, suggesting it was 'bound to irritate' William and could pressure the future king to respond 'in a more pragmatic way'.

Can Old Friends Bridge the Royal Rift?

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail, that Thomas and Charlie van Straubenzee, longstanding friends of both princes, could be 'obvious mediators' capable of helping reconcile the brothers. He cautioned, however, that any such effort 'most certainly will not be easy'.

William is understood to be particularly close to Thomas, while Harry counts Charlie among his closest friends. Harry is also expected to reconnect with the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, along with Guy Pelly and Mark Dyer, all of whom remain part of William's wider social circle.