The Duchess of Sussex believed shifting her family back to Britain would thaw relations with the royal family, but she’s been left reeling by a brutal reality check.
With the King moving quickly to rule out any return to royal life, insiders say Meghan, 45, and Prince Harry are already wondering if uprooting their lives and moving to the UK was a terrible mistake.
In a letter sent on behalf of Charles and shared publicly last week, Harry and Meghan were again described as non-working members of the royal family, and were “surprised” not merely by the note but the fact they were only told about its contents barely an hour before the rest of the world.
Adding to the tension was the fact the King’s reiteration that Harry, 42, and Meghan be treated as “private citizens” was said to be spearheaded by Harry’s estranged brother, the Prince of Wales. It was such a major blow for the frustrated Sussexes that they quickly hit back at Charles, releasing an unprecedented statement saying they wanted to be known as “public figures”.
“The Sussexes prefer the term ‘public figures’ and would have liked an acknowledgement that, on a personal level, they remained members of the royal family, despite no longer receiving public funding,” read the statement.
“Harry genuinely didn’t expect the reception to be this frosty,” says our royal insider.
“He knew there would be tensions, especially with William, but he thought the significance of bringing Meghan and the children back would be recognised.”
A chilly homecoming
After six years in California, Harry and Meghan are believed to have chosen the Cotswolds as their new home, and enrolled Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, in school.
Charles, 77, is understood to be pleased that his youngest son and grandchildren are once again living in Britain. But Harry and Meghan appear to have hoped for considerably more.
“They’ve been left with the distinct impression they aren’t wanted here,” says our source.
“They’d expected a slightly warmer welcome, especially as they were bringing Archie and Lilibet back. They weren’t expecting a big fanfare and a marching band but some acknowledgement would have been nice. They think they deserve better.”
A security sticking point
Another bone of contention is their security. Harry is reportedly furious that the letter stressed that the decision about taxpayer-funded police protection for
the Sussexes does not rest with Charles.Instead, it remains a matter for the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures.
“Meghan thinks this is an attempt by the establishment to keep her out of the spotlight,” our insider reveals.
“As far as she’s concerned, limiting protection makes it impossible for her to be seen publicly. Meghan is extremely anxious. “Harry’s spending a fortune privately protecting the family but she doesn’t believe that should be necessary. She feels exposed and suspects the situation is being used to sabotage her comeback.”
They won’t give up
But if the frosty welcome was intended to persuade the couple to abandon public life, it’s had the opposite effect.
“Harry and Meghan are determined to force their way back into the royal fold,” adds our source.
“They won’t give up.”
Harry is said to remain convinced that public service is his destiny and believes it’s something he has every right to pass on to Archie and Lilibet.
“He intends to pursue it,” says the insider.
“He won’t allow their differences to rob him of his birthright or deny his children their royal legacy.”
Share this post