Are Prince Harry and Meghan ever returning to the UK?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s resignation from the Royal Family also meant their departure from the U.K. The celebrity couple relocated to the United States in February and settled down in Santa Barbara, California with their son Archie. Given their busy work schedule, many are wondering if Prince Harry and Meghan will ever return to the U.K. to reconnect with their loved ones.
Harry claimed he will return to his native soil in 2020, but not for the reason you might think. The duke told Insider that he wants to go back to the U.K. to attend the upcoming World Cup and to support his favorite team, Arsenal Football Club. The sporting event will be held from October 23rd until November 27th.
World Cup travel plans
“We’ve got a whole Rugby League World Cup coming next year, so I definitely plan on coming back,” Harry revealed. “I would have been back already had it not been for COVID.” If the former duke follows through on his plans, it will be the first time he’s set foot in the U.K. since March.
Harry did not say whether Meghan would accompany him on his trip but he referred to Archie as his “number one priority” and said that he plans to nurture his son’s interest in rugby. “What I need is a few mini rugby balls [so] that I can get Archie involved with the game,” he stated.
COVID-19 delays
Harry and Meghan originally claimed they would split their time between North America and the U.K., but the coronavirus pandemic has kept them from traveling back to England since their departure. Royal expert, Katie Nicholl, told Entertainment Tonight that the couple will be making a proper return trip as soon as they feel it is safe.
“They will come back to the U.K., of course, they will want to see Harry’s family over here,” Nicholl stated. “I can see them coming back and spending part of the summer holiday over here, possibly alternating Christmases, but I don’t think they’re going to be dividing their time. I think they have made their new life in America and that is where they are going to spend a majority of their time from now on.”
Long-distance friendships
Nicholl also provided an update on the strained relationship between Harry and Prince William. She revealed that the distance between them has actually served as a positive and helped them to overcome their differences. “It’s no secret that it’s been a rocky path between the two brothers, but I actually think the distance has been a good thing for them,” she stated.
“[Harry and William] are speaking more than they did before,” Nicholl added. “They are getting along much better than they were several months ago, so I think the signs are all very positive. I think it will be some time before we see them having possibly a Christmas together, but I think things are definitely better than they were.”
Scheduled return
At the very latest, Harry and Meghan will return to the UK in July 2021. They have confirmed they will attend the unveiling of the Princess Diana statue in Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden. The statue is meant to recognize Diana’s “positive impact in the United Kingdom and around the world” and the unveiling will take place on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Nicholl told ET that the statue unveiling is of the utmost importance to both Harry and Meghan. “I’m told by sources very close to Harry and Meghan that they will be here for that unveiling,” she asserted. “It will be a very important day for Harry [and] for the family.”
Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden holds a special place in the hearts of both Harry and Meghan. The couple announced their engagement from the idyllic location back in 2016.
