President Donald Trump stated during an Oval Office briefing that he is glad Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have left the United States and returned to the United Kingdom, telling reporters they had disrespected Queen Elizabeth II, according to reporting by Newsweek. Trump’s remarks highlight a long-running transatlantic rift as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex begin an extended relocation to Britain, a move that royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail has provoked a crisis for the monarchy.
Donald Trump Criticizes Sussex Return in Oval Office Briefing
Trump shared his thoughts publicly for the first time regarding the departure during an interview with U.S. travel executives, according to Newsweek and The Daily Beast. When asked how he felt about the couple leaving the U.S. after six years, Trump stated he was “very happy about it” and remarked that he was “not a fan.” According to Newsweek, Trump added that he maintained a very good relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, but felt Harry and Meghan treated the royal family with great disrespect. Trump stated that if he were in the royal family’s position, he would not have taken them back, echoing past criticisms of the couple’s Oprah Winfrey interview, Netflix projects, and Harry’s memoir Spare, as reported by Newsweek.
Logistics of the Sussex Family Relocation to Britain
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are keeping their home in Montecito, California, but have returned to the U.K. for an extended stay, according to Newsweek. The family plans to live at a private residence outside London rather than in royal accommodation, and their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, have been enrolled in a British school for the autumn term, according to Newsweek and the Daily Mail. According to the Daily Mail, King Charles was informed of the move by his son on Sunday, and the relocation does not involve a return to official working royal duties, leaving them as non-working royals.
Did you know? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle originally stepped away from senior royal duties in 2020, moving to California, where they launched various media and philanthropic ventures.
Royal Experts Warn of Monarchy Crisis and Succession Stakes
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail that the move “provokes a crisis for the monarchy because the monarchy’s responses are often poor when they don’t know what to expect.” Fitzwilliams suggested to the Daily Mail that the Sussexes chose King Charles’s reign to relocate because their options might be more limited if Prince William eventually ascends the throne, noting that William might look closely at titles. Meanwhile, a friend of King Charles III told The Daily Beast that Harry was informally encouraged by the king to return because the monarch believes the royal family is stronger united.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returning to royal duties?
No. According to Newsweek, the move does not involve a return to official royal duties, and they remain private individuals and non-working royals without the “half-in, half-out” arrangement rejected by Queen Elizabeth II in 2020.
Where will Harry, Meghan, and their children live in the U.K.?
According to Newsweek and the Daily Mail, the family is keeping their California home in Montecito but is moving into a private residence outside London, with reports indicating they are house hunting in the rural Cotswolds region.
What did Donald Trump say about the couple’s return?
According to Newsweek, Trump told reporters during an Oval Office briefing that he was “very happy” they left the U.S., stating that they had treated the royal family with great disrespect and that he would not have taken them back.
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