If the Duchess of Sussex is ever to set a stiletto heel back on British soil, then she wants it to be on her terms – and certainly not under the supervision of her rivals-in-law, the Prince and Princess of Wales!
With news of a possible return to the UK looking more likely by the week, insiders say Meghan’s made it clear to her husband Prince Harry there will need to be a compromise if she agrees to go. For years, Harry, 41, has argued it’s unsafe to bring his wife, 44, and kids, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, home due to the lack of taxpayer-funded security.
But now the British home secretary finally looks ready to grant Harry what he wants, the couple’s arrival on English soil is starting to look inevitable. And while the prince is overjoyed, insiders say Meghan is less than thrilled about returning to the UK for the first time in four years. But if their security is assured, she’ll have run out of excuses.
Arriving in style
Harry is expected to be in Birmingham in July to mark one year until the 2027 Invictus Games kick off. Meghan has almost always accompanied her husband to these countdown promotions. The duchess was last in the UK for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in 2022. The couple’s children did not join them.
Now any hopes Harry has about persuading his wife to go with him will depend on whether he can meet her requests.
A Montecito spy tells us, “Meghan has no intention of going back and is doing everything in her power to avoid it, including giving Harry a few firm demands she wants him to achieve ahead of the trip.”
While some of the requirements, such as flying by private jet and tagging on a European holiday, are relatively innocuous, others are far less so. It is her requests relating to the royal family that have reportedly left Harry sweating.
Highgrove sleepover
Our insider adds, “Meghan wants King Charles to open the Invictus Games in 2027, a photo op in public with Kate – as well as an apology in private, which the newspapers will conveniently find out about – and an invitation to stay with Charles and Camilla at Highgrove House.”
According to royal biographer Phil Dampier, some of her wishes could very well be granted.
Royal launch
“It’s being reported the King might let the pair live at his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire while the Games are on,” the respected author says.
“I know for a fact that before Harry left the royal family, Charles had always intended to gift him the house. “There’s no doubt the King wants a reconciliation with Harry and he may accept an invitation to open the Games in July 2027 – even though it coincides with Queen Camilla’s 80th birthday.”
European vacay
As royal commentator Shane Watson says, “William and Kate are the ones who will need to assume the brace position when the Sussex show rolls into town.”
William’s secret weapon
Reportedly acting on the advice of his aunt, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince William has hired a top PR crisis manager. The move is said to be in preparation for the return of his estranged brother, Prince Harry, and sister-in-law, Meghan, to the UK. Sources suggest the Prince of Wales is “taking no chances.”
One insider tells us, “William’s not going to have his world blown up by the Sussexes – not when he’s been working so hard to pave a smooth road to becoming king. “Hiring Liza Ravenscroft is a big step in bulletproofing their image If Charles ends up opening Invictus, there’ll be a lot of pressure on him and Kate to attend as well, and discussions are underway about how to manage that.”
