Happy Harry's double-edged return
His forthcoming visit to Britain may please the King but it infuriates Prince William
Moaning Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle talked to show host Oprah Winfrey in 2021 to say that both his father, now King Charles, and his brother, Prince William, were “trapped” in the royal system, adding patronisingly that although he had “huge compassion” for them it wasn’t for him. “I want a family not an institution,” he said. It was the year after he and Meghan stopped being working royals. Eight years later Harry is longing to be part of the life and family he once had. Archie (six) and Lilibet (four) are expected to visit England with them at the beginning of July for about four days. Perhaps their children’s faces will be allowed to be seen at last.
The King has many times offered Harry a royal place in which to stay but until now Harry has firmly refused and chosen a hotel. But this time, surprisingly, he and Meghan have agreed to use either Buckingham Palace or St James’s Palace.
There are now huge concerns that it seems the King hadn’t told the heir to the throne, Prince William, or his wife Princess Catherine in advance about Harry’s arrival and are furious. Has Charles been too weak to reveal to him such a tough decision? William hasn’t spoken to Harry since 2022 and, it seems, still doesn’t want to talk to him or Meghan. Nor does he want Catherine to be troubled by Meghan. If there’s a chance of doing so, Harry could try to take over some of William’s important royal duties if the heir was away and even be planning for the future before the King dies. William is protective of his three children and wary of Harry trying to get involved with their upbringing. Once, Harry asked to help them if they grew up to be, like him, a “Spare”, the title of his bitter memoir. William said “no.”
Harris also wants to set up a rival court against William and feels that his and Meghan’s pseudo-royal tours abroad in recent years have promoted their personal brand.
Might the couple say they are so short of money that they need the King to give them millions? Meghan is hard to satisfy. Her behaviour may upset the King, but it is his fault. It is a surprise that Queen Camilla didn’t persuade Charles to keep them out.
Harry still feels grand as far as the royal family is concerned, but with Meghan he does as he is told. He might try to find out about the King’s cancer despite his father knowing not to confide in him because it is difficult to trust either him or Meghan.
In 2020 Harry was furious that the UK stopped paying for his journeys back and forth to Canada and Montecito, his California home, even though he was no longer working on behalf of his country. He has pestered his father to sort out his travel expenses and protection. But royal security is decided by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) and Harry is still waiting for it to decide whether he is entitled to full security as he is demanding.
Harry also wants a royal apology to Meghan (for what, is unclear) who has said she doesn’t want to ever go back to the UK. Many ordinary British citizens would have preferred an apology from her to the royals for her behaviour and comments towards them.
Meghan might want to turn up at Buckingham Palace with samples of her As Ever range of products of jams and candles for her in-laws. Her businesses are not doing well with $5m in unsold stock sitting in California. But if she could get a photograph of the King tasting one of her goods it would be a real boost for her.
As for the children, their first trip to Britain would give the public an opportunity for their faces to be seen at last. This depends if their parents manage to have the King photographed with the children and they can sell the pictures round the world and make a fortune.
Harry has three other things he wants to do when he is in the UK. One is talking about the next Invictus Games which are planned for July 2027 in Birmingham, in the English Midlands. Megan enjoys Invictus and making inappropriate speeches but wounded military veterans don’t enjoy her presence, and her taking too much attention away from those who have struggled to take part. Meghan’s demands, such as the cost of clothes and expensive hotels, are also annoying.
Harry also plans to visit Scottish Little Soldiers, a charity supporting bereaved military children, and WellChild, which helps very ill children to recover at home.
Harry made a speech in Kyiv just before President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted King Charles and Queen Camilla in April for a historic state dinner at the White House to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, highlighting the unbreakable historic bond between the United States and the United Kingdom. Harry, however, in his speech told Trump and President Putin what they should be doing to sort out the war in Ukraine. It could have had serious consequences but instead was widely mocked. “Putin must be quaking in his boots,” was a typical online comment.
Meghan has said she would like to have a chat with Queen Camilla. I doubt if the Queen will welcome it. Her aim is to look after her husband’s health and she isn’t likely to tell Meghan private information. Harry talked to the BBC in 2025 after a private conversation with his father to complain that he didn’t have proper protection, while Meghan has simply made up stories, such as saying the then Archbishop of Canterbury had married them in a private meeting before the official ceremony when in fact he was just giving them a little talk about marriage.
Harry and Meghan stopped carrying out their royal duties and responsibilities because they felt they knew best. But they may have to show a lot more humility if they want to be part of the Royal Family and that is highly unlikely.