Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been dealt another major blow after returning to Britain with their children, with a royal expert now suggesting they’re set to leave the UK.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to Britain with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet after spending several years living in California.
Their arrival immediately attracted attention, particularly because it represented a significant change for a family whose life has been largely based in the United States since stepping back from royal duties.
However, their return has not resulted in the restoration of their former position within the monarchy.
Instead, Buckingham Palace has issued a fresh clarification about exactly where Harry and Meghan stand, making clear that they remain outside the working Royal Family.
The development has prompted questions about what their future in Britain could look like, particularly after their representatives reportedly expressed surprise at the way the Palace announcement was handled.
And now, one royal commentator has made a striking prediction about how long the Sussexes could actually remain in the UK.
Harry and Meghan’s royal status clarified
Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain has coincided with an important reminder from Buckingham Palace about their position within the monarchy.
The clarification was issued through a letter from the Lord Chamberlain, one of the most senior officials in the Royal Household.
Its purpose was to make sure government departments, military officials and other relevant organisations understood how Harry and Meghan should be treated following their return to the UK.
The couple remain members of the wider Royal Family by virtue of their family connections, but they are not working royals.
Their return has therefore not changed the arrangements established when they stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020.
The Palace has made clear that Harry and Meghan’s activities are undertaken privately rather than on behalf of King Charles or the monarchy.
Their charitable work also remains a personal matter rather than official royal business.
The distinction is particularly significant because Harry remains the King’s son, while Meghan remains the Duchess of Sussex.
Despite those family connections, neither is carrying out official duties as a representative of the monarch.
Their HRH styles remain in abeyance
Another important part of the clarification concerns the couple’s royal styles.
Harry remains a prince and the couple continue to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
However, their His and Her Royal Highness styles remain in abeyance and are not used.
That arrangement dates back to the period following their decision to step away from their roles as senior working royals.
The latest Palace communication therefore did not amount to a sudden removal of titles. Instead, it reinforced the existing position surrounding the Sussexes.
The letter reportedly described their status as being similar to that of private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.
In practical terms, this means that Harry and Meghan can continue with their personal and charitable projects, but they cannot present those activities as official engagements carried out for the Royal Family.
The clarification has nevertheless reignited debate among royal watchers.
Some have questioned how Harry can remain a prince and the Duke of Sussex while simultaneously being treated as a private citizen for official purposes.
Others believe the Palace is simply reaffirming arrangements that have been in place since 2020.
Their UK return has raised fresh questions
Harry and Meghan’s decision to spend more time in Britain has inevitably fuelled speculation about whether they intend to make the country a more permanent part of their family life.
The couple arrived at Birmingham Airport on August 26 with Archie and Lilibet, marking a significant return for the family.
Reports have suggested that the Sussexes have established themselves in the Cotswolds, while their children are expected to attend school in Britain.
That has led to questions over whether their move represents a longer-term change in circumstances rather than simply another extended visit.
Their return has also taken place against the backdrop of Harry’s ongoing concerns about security arrangements for his family while in Britain.
The Duke has previously made clear that security is an important consideration when deciding how much time he can spend in the country.
That could remain a significant factor as the family adjusts to life in Britain again.
Harry is also expected to continue his involvement with causes close to him, including the Invictus Games, which are due to take place in Birmingham next year.
But any such work will remain separate from the official activities of working members of the Royal Family.
The Palace’s clarification means that Harry can support his charitable interests without those appearances being interpreted as a return to royal duties.
Sussexes reportedly ‘surprised’ by Palace announcement
The timing of the Palace’s clarification has added another layer to the story.
Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson reportedly said that the couple were ‘a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.’
The remark suggested that the Sussexes were unhappy with the way the announcement had been communicated.
It also raised questions about how much involvement they had in the process before details of the Palace’s position became public.
However, reports have indicated that the couple’s team received the letter before it was released to the media.
The apparent disagreement is therefore not necessarily about whether Harry and Meghan received the communication at all, but about whether they were properly informed about the decision to publicly clarify their position and the timing of that announcement.
The development is particularly notable because the Sussexes had only recently returned to Britain with their children.
Rather than their arrival signalling an immediate reconciliation with the monarchy, the Palace statement has instead reinforced the boundaries surrounding their relationship with the institution.
Harry and Meghan’s position remains separate from that of the working royals.
Their future in Britain remains uncertain
The latest developments leave Harry and Meghan in an unusual position.
They are spending considerably more time in the country where Harry was born, while their children are reportedly beginning to establish connections there too.
At the same time, the couple remain outside the working monarchy and do not carry out official engagements on behalf of the King.
Their royal styles remain in abeyance, while their charitable and public activities are conducted in their private capacity.
That distinction has continued to fuel debate over what their return actually means.
For some observers, their presence in Britain could eventually lead to a closer relationship with the Royal Family.
For others, the Palace’s statement demonstrates that a return to royal life is not on the cards.
The clarification also appears to have made one thing particularly clear: simply living in Britain again does not give Harry and Meghan their former royal roles back.
And despite the speculation surrounding their move, neither Harry nor Meghan has publicly confirmed that they intend to leave Britain.
However, one royal expert believes their return could prove considerably shorter than some might expect.
Harry and Meghan ‘could leave UK’ by Christmas
Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter has now cast doubt on whether Harry and Meghan intend to remain in Britain permanently.
Speaking to Jeremy Kyle on TalkTV, per the Daily Star, Arbiter was asked whether the couple’s return could be temporary and how long he believed they would actually stay.
His response suggested that he does not expect their UK move to become a permanent arrangement.
“I’m not sure they are here long-term,” Arbiter said.
He then made a specific prediction about the couple’s plans, saying he ‘firmly’ believed they would return to Montecito for Christmas because Meghan’s mother is there.
The royal expert also raised another family relationship while discussing the possibility of reconciliation, asking:
“Everybody talks about reconciliation with the King but what about reconciliation with Thomas Markle.”
Arbiter’s comments are his own assessment and do not amount to confirmation from Harry or Meghan that they are preparing to leave.
For now, the Sussexes remain in Britain with their children and are reportedly establishing a new routine there.
But if Arbiter’s prediction proves correct, their return may not be the long-term move some royal watchers had anticipated — with the royal expert suggesting that Harry and Meghan could already be preparing to leave the UK and head back to Montecito by Christmas.
