Following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s UK return, royal expert Roya Nikkhah believes life in Britain could be ‘more challenging’ for the Duchess of Sussex
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprising return to the UK with their family at the end of August – and one royal expert reckons the Duchess of Sussex will find the move back more “challenging” than her husband. The pair declared their intention to step down as working royals six years ago, a decision dubbed Megxit, and promptly left the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
However, they have now resettled in the UK following an equally unexpected return from California. Roya Nikkhah, royal editor of The Sunday Times, discussed on Times Radio why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved back. She stated: “I think the jury is out on that. I mean, my sense and my feeling is I do really feel that Harry wants to spend as much time as he can with his father. His father is still receiving cancer treatment.
“That said, as far as I’m aware, he hasn’t seen his father since he’s been back in the UK. I think there’s probably an issue of Harry feels quite strongly he feels he can be more effective here over the next year in the run-up to the games (Invictus Games) in Birmingham. I think as well he desperately wants his children to know their family a bit more, both the King and the Spencer side of the family.”
However, regarding his wife, she added: “I think it’s going to be more challenging for Meghan in terms of what she does here in the UK. It always was quite hard for her. She didn’t love it and I think it’ll be tricky.”
This week, the Daily Express disclosed in the first episode of their new podcast Royals Unscripted that Meghan is contemplating attending Paris Fashion Week. Although no firm plans have been set, the mother-of-two is considering a weekend in the French capital without Prince Harry.
An insider informed them: “She’s keen to go alone and hold her head high. Meghan deliberately hasn’t attended an event in the UK yet; she’s been holding out for the perfect time, and Paris offers that.”
Meghan has not made a public appearance since returning to the UK and if she does decide to jet off to Paris, Harry will spend the weekend with their children. She made her Paris Fashion Week debut last year donning a white suit and cape and the Daily Express source revealed: “She has been invited through official channels. She’s been weighing up whether to go because of the timing.”
Even though Harry and Meghan have only recently moved back, former Buckingham Palace press office worker Dickie Arbiter believes they won’t last here long. Dickie, who was secretary to The Queen, Prince Charles and Diana, told the At Home with Vanessa podcast: “I don’t believe for a moment they will last in the United Kingdom.
“I think one of the main reasons Harry’s come back is that he wants a hands on with the Invictus Games which is in Birmingham next year, July. I’m not sure the organisers want him with two hands on, but they’ll welcome his presence to publicise it.”