A royal expert has claimed Meghan Markle’s lack of “affection” for the UK could throw a spanner in the works amid hopes of Prince Harry’s reconciliation with the Royal Family.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, has not returned to her husband’s home country since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022.
Her children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, have not visited since the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier that year.
Harry, 41, has made a number of trips to the UK, including to visit his father, King Charles. Meanwhile, Meghan and the children have remained in the US.
The Duke of Sussex previously argued that it is “impossible” for him to safely bring Meghan and the children to the UK after he lost the right to taxpayer-funded police protection when they quit royal duties in 2020.
Since then, Harry has been in a high-profile legal battle with the Home Office to reinstate his security.
Now, after a series of defeats, reports claim the government will grant Harry the right to automatic armed security when he and his family visit the UK.
There are hopes the Home Office’s U-turn will be a step in improving relations between Harry and the wider Royal Family, particularly King Charles and Prince William.
While additional security would “open the door” for Meghan to visit the UK, experts argue a reunion “won’t be simple”.
“It would open the door, but if you look at the polls, her ratings are absolutely terrible. She is not popular with the British public,” royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said.
“Then there is the case that she does not appear to have any affection for Britain. That has never manifested itself.
“I cannot see Meghan coming to Britain before the Invictus Games because what would she do and why would she come?
“It is not going to be as simple as turning up and seeing King Charles,” Fitzwilliams added to GB News.
It is expected that Meghan will join her husband when the Invictus Games take place in Birmingham in 2027, with royal author Duncan Larcombe arguing that her failing to attend would be a “PR disaster”.
“If the protection is put back in place for Harry and Meghan when they’re on UK soil, then there’s really no excuse for her to stay away…
“But, effectively, she’ll come face to face with the British public and members of the family that she’s been at pains to criticise…
“I don’t think it’s in Meghan’s character to eat humble pie and if she comes to the UK, humble pie is exactly what’s on the menu for her,” Larcombe told the Daily Mirror.