The ‘resentment and bitterness’ of Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK

What’s the story?

Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK was never going to be a quiet one.

But if they were hoping to stay under the radar as they make a new life in the Cotswolds, that’s never going to happen now.

Despite the couple publicly dropping their Royal titles in 2020, following invasive media coverage by the British press, a public letter on behalf of King Charles has spelled this out once again.

Harry and Meghan have said they were “surprised not to have been told about this in advance” – despite Royal sources saying they were told about the announcement before it was made public.

“Why don't they just talk to each other, or do it behind closed doors and not have sources briefing endlessly to the media?” Jon Sopel asks.

Emily Maitlis says the newly leaked letter acts as a reminder to the "lieutenants of the country" (local officials and authorities, in other words) not to give Harry and Meghan special treatment when they make the Cotswolds their home.

“What the King is saying very clearly is they are not working in any capacity as a Royal,” she adds.

“Therefore, they are not allowed – and I'm reading between the lines – to profit from that title, from any ‘Royalness’, because essentially they are now here doing their charity work, but also presumably trying to earn a bit of dosh.”

She says the King is "putting the markers down quickly" to stop the couple adding the word "royal" to any product or service they might launch in the UK.

‘Resentment and bitterness’

Tabloid and gossip media has relished reporting on an alleged rift between Prince William and Harry since 2018, with the heir to the throne remaining close to his father during his cancer diagnosis in 2024.

Jon says the method of communication playing out now suggests tensions within the Royal family have not been resolved.

“If you broaden the lens out and look at the last three or four years, and the total dysfunction of the communication between them all, and the levels of misunderstanding, resentment and bitterness there is in the way this has all unfolded,” he says.

“I’m rather surprised at what has been said by the King.

"It paints a picture of people who all loathe each other, and I don't think this is where the king wanted to be, or where Prince William wanted to be.”

Maitlis says there is a divide between Charles’ responsibilities as a father, and a monarch.

“I think what the King has done is make it very clear that he adores his son in a private personal capacity and welcomes the grandchildren being close to Highgrove House,” she says.

“But I think the King is worried about where this leaves his heir, William, which is his real professional priority.”

On a personal level, she is “delighted” at the return of Harry and Meghan.

“It's a bit more glamour, a bit more interest,” she adds.

“I’m opening Britain's arms to them, but I don't think it speaks just of dysfunction as in hatred.

“I think it speaks of a family that is already riven in two because he's trying to be a king and a father.”

Are the Royals worried about competition for column inches?

Harry and Meghan have offered access to their lives through Netflix shows, podcasts and high profile interviews, but at the same time spoken openly about the media intruding on their lives.

Their return has already resulted in countless news articles in the UK press, along with critical columns in the same publications that first helped push the couple out of the country.

“The Royal family's key performance indicators are how many column inches they're getting, how many front pages and photos they're getting, and you can see the competition that is now going to take place,” Jon says.

“Meghan and Harry are back, extremely photogenic, and will command a huge number of front pages.”

Maitlis says the palace expects the couple to “pop up all over the shop” once they return.

“I think Meghan wants to get out there and do the glamorous bit of public life, but that's why the King is saying not to confuse that with public service,” she says.

“It's also a reminder to everyone who would be employing them as Royals, everyone who would be buying their services or buying their stardust as Royals, they are not.

“They will not have an inside track on what is going on.”

She adds that with both King Charles and Princess Catherine having been diagnosed with cancer in recent years, the Royals are unable to live the public life they might want to.

“There's a limited number of appearances probably that the monarch, the heir to the throne, and the Princess of Wales can make,” Maitlis says.

“They're slightly in competition with this couple that can literally be everywhere, do everything, and probably gain the front pages as they do it.”

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