Prince Harry Allegedly Kept UK Move Secret From William So His Brother Wouldn't Know What He's Up To

Prince Harry reportedly gave King Charles only short notice of his plans to relocate to the UK, with former royal butler Grant Harrold suggesting that he may have wanted to keep Prince William from finding out.

The news came after local media reported on 19 August that the Duke, 41, and Duchess of Sussex, 45, are set to relocate back to the UK with their two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, later this month after stepping back from royal life in 2020. They reportedly plan to settle in a private, non-royal residence believed to be near London. The UK would become their primary home for the foreseeable future while they decide whether to make the move permanent.

The reports have not been independently verified by IBTimes UK. The reported relocation, the date Charles was informed, and the alleged reactions within the Royal Family are based on newspaper reports and comments from former royal staff.

Secret UK Move Kept From Prince William

While the reports continue to rattle royal commentators and the public alike, Harrold, who worked for King Charles at Highgrove from 2004 to 2011, offered his perspective on the timing during a recent interview.

According to reports, King Charles was informed of the relocation on 16 August, while Harrold described the timing as unusually short. In the interview, Harrold argued that Prince Harry gave his father minimal warning before the public learned of the plans.

'We know Harry only told his father of his plans to return to the UK on Sunday, which is very short notice - especially as planning must have been going on for a while,' Harrold said. 'It is shocking that he has not discussed it with his father.'

Harrold speculated that Harry may have withheld the plans because he did not want William to know what he was up to.

'The only reason I can think of why he didn't tell the King was he didn't want Prince William to know,' Harrold explained. 'It's very childish, but I don't think he wants his brother to know what he's up to.'

The source article also reported that Charles had a reunion with the Sussexes at Highgrove the previous month, during which the relocation was allegedly not discussed.

Harrold Speculates on King Charles Reaction

According to the source material, Charles was reportedly pleased by the news. The Daily Telegraph separately reported that he was looking forward to the opportunity to see more of his family on a regular basis, both in a private and personal capacity.

However, Harrold suggested the monarch could also feel apprehensive regarding the broader family dynamic and what the couple might do next.

'I think the King will be happy to have Harry and Meghan back nearby, but he will be worried about what they will do,' Harrold said. 'He will also be worried about William's reaction. There would have been countless conversations between the two of them in recent days.'

Harrold suggested that the monarch and the Prince of Wales hold contrasting attitudes toward the situation.

'The King will be trying to be positive and see the good side of it, but William will have a more cynical view,' Harrold noted. 'The King always wants to see the good in people, he always wants to resolve issues, but William isn't as trusting.'

Whether these private father-and-son conversations played out as the former butler imagines has not been confirmed.

Daily Mail Dubs Balmoral Outing Sussex Summit

On Saturday, 22 August, King Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and other members of the Royal Family were reportedly seen leaving Balmoral for a grouse shoot near Corgarff Castle. The Daily Mail dubbed the outing the 'Sussex summit', but the supplied source does not independently confirm that the gathering was held to discuss Harry and Meghan's reported relocation.

Harrold suggested that the news would have prompted discussions between Charles and William, although the supplied source does not independently confirm what, if anything, they discussed.

Speaking previously at another interview, Harrold claimed that Prince William would react with intense anger to the news of the relocation.

'I think Prince William will be furious. I think he would have flipped out when he was told. He will be speaking to other members of the family, trying to build up support... I think William will be disappointed. William will not forgive,' Harrold said.

Regarding the Princess of Wales, Harrold predicted that Kate would seek a balanced perspective despite past tensions.

'I think she agrees with William, but like Camilla, she looks at the big picture. I think she will try to see both sides of it,' Harrold said. 'She was very close to Harry before everything went wrong, but he also said some upsetting things about her in his book.'

Former Gardener Recalls Prince Harry Teenage Years

As speculation surrounding the move continues, Jack Stooks, the former head gardener at King Charles' country residence Highgrove, spoke out about Prince Harry's younger years.

Speaking to Heart Bingo Online, Stooks, who had worked for the Royal Family for several decades, recalled seeing Harry as a teenager away from the spotlight.

'We've seen Prince Harry break royal rules, with all of his shenanigans that he did when he was younger. I think he just wanted to be a person rather than a royal,' Stooks said. 'I think it's difficult when you're brought up in an environment and a way of life that's strict with certain things, you maybe do want to rebel a little bit.'

Stooks recalled helping clear up after a party Harry had held at The Orchard Room on the Highgrove estate.

'I remember helping clear up after a party one year he had had at The Orchard Room. There was mess all over the terrace that we had to go and clear up because he had loads of friends there,' Stooks said.

The former gardener suggested that Prince Harry's earlier wild streak had faded with marriage and fatherhood.

'He was a teenager that just liked to have fun. He is a really nice and fun person, but he has a naughty streak to him. But that naughtiness has gone since he got married and he's now a father. Harry will be less inclined to post videos of himself on his birthday, but his wife will probably post a message,' Stooks added.

Non-Working Status Follows Secret UK Move

The reported relocation comes more than six years after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties, stopped using their HRH titles, and moved to the United States. At the time, the couple cited intense tabloid pressure and restrictions imposed by the monarchy, specifically the prevention of their developing the 'SussexRoyal' brand.

While King Charles is said to welcome the chance to see more of his family privately, Charles has allegedly made one thing clear regarding their position in the institution.

The report said they would remain non-working royals and private individuals, with no return to official duties. The source material indicated that the UK would serve as their primary home for the foreseeable future while they work to decide whether to make the move permanent.

When mainstream media asked Prince Harry to comment on the reported move at a roundtable event with US veterans in Washington on 19 August, he simply replied: 'Nothing to say.'