Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's U.K. return has been complex already, following an argument with the palace over whether they were "private citizens," but there are several further potential points of conflict approaching over the next year. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been living in California for six years when they moved back to Britain in August. And there were signs of tension with Buckingham Palace earlier this month over a letter sent on King Charles III's behalf to officials in government and the military clarifying the couple's status.
Harry and Meghan's team pushed back on wording describing them as "private citizens" rather than "public figures." There are also multiple events in the royal calendar that the Sussexes could hypothetically attend now they live in Britain, if they were invited. Only time will tell whether the Sussexes will expect an invite, get an invite, or mind if they do not get one. However, the palace may wish to think carefully about how they approach a potentially volatile situation.
For King Charles III and Buckingham Palace that means deciding how far Harry and Meghan should be welcomed back into the fold, following deeply personal criticisms in Harry's book, Spare, and past interviews. A years-long rift with Prince William, the heir to the throne, also persists. Harry has said previously he is not on speaking terms with his brother and the last time they were at the same event together was Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, four years ago in September 2022.
King Charles met Harry as recently as July and may be left needing to choose which of his sons to risk offending. The first potentially tricky moment in the calendar is remembrance, when Britain holds a number of events attended by the royals to reflect on the sacrifice of the country's war dead. In particular, there will be events in London at Westminster Abbey and the Royal Albert Hall before Remembrance Sunday, at The Cenotaph, the national war memorial.
These are generally for working royals and often attended by the prime minister and other senior politicians, past and present. However, Harry is a war veteran who saw front line service in Afghanistan at the guns of an Apache helicopter where he killed 25 Taliban insurgents, according to his book Spare. In January, he paid tribute to the sacrifice of British troops during the war, saying: "I served there.
I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there." In 2020, Harry had arranged for a wreath to be laid on his behalf at The Cenotaph while he remained in America due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the move was blocked. Biography Finding Freedom, by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, later reported he was "saddened and disappointed by the decision," quoting a source who said: "Ten years of service and a lifetime commitment to the military community and this is how it's been acknowledged by his family." The Princess of Wales holds an annual carol service in early December at Westminster Abbey and in the past has invited royal family members.
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