Prince Harry and Meghan’s Return to Britain: A Step Towards Reconciliation?

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry is returning to Britain with his wife Meghan and their children for an extended stay. This may help mend the rift with the royal family. Their decision to leave six years ago widened the gap between Harry, his father King Charles III, and his older brother Prince William.

Harry hasn’t disclosed why they are returning. He has shown interest in reconciliation to spend more time with his father, who is undergoing treatment for undisclosed cancer. Details about their return remain unclear. They have enrolled Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, in British schools, starting classes in September.

Harry and Meghan are not rejoining royal life. They will reside at a private residence outside of London but keep homes in Montecito, California, and Costa Terra, Portugal. Their income comes from contracts with Netflix, Spotify, and other businesses. Meghan will continue her U.K.-based company As Ever, selling jams, tea, and wine, while Harry focuses on his British charities.

A former BBC royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, remarked, “Perhaps Meghan is taking one for the team here, because I’m not sure this is her life’s desire to live back in the U.K.”

King Charles learned of the move shortly before it was publicly announced. Harry’s visits to the U.K. have mostly involved lawsuits against British tabloids and issues with security details. It was the first time the children saw King Charles since the platinum jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Reconciliation has been a part of Harry’s efforts. He expressed a desire to rebuild relationships with his family, especially due to his father’s health issues. However, tensions exist, especially with his brother William, due to past accusations and revelations in media interviews and Harry’s memoir “Spare.”

Peter Hunt, a former BBC royal correspondent, told the Press Association, “In the short term, Harry will be able to deepen his rapprochement with his father. And his presence back home will make it harder for his brother to duck a reconciliation.”

Security remains a crucial issue for Harry. He criticized the palace for removing his police protection during U.K. visits. Reminding many of Princess Diana’s tragic death, he emphasized the dangers posed by the media. His personal security team accompanies him on most visits. Harry previously stated he wouldn’t return without security assurance.

Legal battles with British tabloids continue. After winning against the Daily Mirror’s publisher and receiving an apology from Rupert Murdoch’s Sun, Harry recently lost against the Daily Mail’s publisher. He faces significant legal costs, with a judge deciding soon on payments related to this case.

Contributors to this report include Danica Kirka in London and James Pollard in Washington.