Trump Praises King Charles but Says Harry and Meghan Showed 'Great Disrespect'

US President Donald Trump has praised King Charles III while sharply criticising Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, over their treatment of the Royal Family.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, 2 September, Trump said he was pleased that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had reportedly left the United States for an extended stay in Britain.

'I'm happy about it,' Trump said when asked about the reported move. He added: 'I was not a fan.'

Trump said he believed Harry and Meghan had shown 'great disrespect' towards the Royal Family, while singling out Meghan for further criticism.

Trump Says He Would Not Have Welcomed Couple Back

Trump told reporters that he disapproved of how the Sussexes had behaved towards the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles.

He described Meghan as 'terribly disrespectful' and said that, if he had been a member of the Royal Family, he would not have welcomed the couple back.

'I wouldn't have taken them back,' Trump said.

His comments came after a reporter asked him about reports that Harry and Meghan had returned to Britain after living primarily in California since stepping away from royal duties.

The couple have not announced that they are resuming official duties. Their reported return does not represent a confirmed change in their royal status.

Trump Praises King Charles and Queen Elizabeth

While criticising Harry and Meghan, Trump spoke warmly about King Charles, describing the monarch as a 'great, great guy'.

Trump also recalled his relationship with Queen Elizabeth and said he had known her well. He said he had known King Charles for a long time and had a good relationship with him.

The president's remarks suggested that he viewed the King's willingness to maintain family ties with Harry and Meghan as more forgiving than the approach he would have taken.

However, decisions concerning the Sussexes' private relationship with the King remain a matter for the Royal Family. Trump has no formal role in determining their royal status.

Harry and Meghan Remain Non-Working Royals

Harry and Meghan stepped back as working members of the Royal Family in 2020 before moving to North America.

Buckingham Palace confirmed in February 2021 that they would not return as working royals. The palace nevertheless said that they remained much-loved members of the family.

The couple retain their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles but do not use their HRH styles. They no longer represent the monarch or receive public funding for royal duties.

Their children are officially known as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.

An extended stay in Britain would not, by itself, change Harry and Meghan's status as non-working members of the Royal Family.

Remarks Renew Focus on Royal Divisions

Trump's remarks have placed renewed attention on the Sussexes' relationship with the wider Royal Family.

Harry and Meghan have publicly discussed their experiences within the institution since leaving royal duties, while Harry has written about tensions with relatives in his memoir.

Trump's comments represent his personal opinion rather than an official US position on the monarchy or the Sussexes.

His praise for King Charles drew a clear distinction between his respect for the monarch and his disapproval of Harry and Meghan. Whether the couple's reported return leads to closer family relations remains a private matter for those involved.