Meghan to Return to the UK as a ‘Californian Business Elite’ ― and Kate & William Aren’t Thrilled
After stepping back as a senior working royal in 2020, Meghan Markle has fixed her attention elsewhere. But with Prince Harry’s ongoing speculation of a possible UK return, conversation has turned towards the Duchess of Sussex as well. She last visited the country in 2022 for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and while the Prince has revisited his homeland after that on several occasions, Markle has maintained her distance, building her brand portfolio in California. Although not for long. As per reports, the Duchess is said to accompany her husband for the 2027 Invictus Games, much to the dismay of Prince William and Princess Kate.
From the late Queen’s funeral and King Charles’ 2023 coronation to his most recent visit in September 2025, Harry has returned to his homeland on several occasions. Markle, on the other hand, has remained in California along with their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, a decision majorly due to security concerns while in the UK. However, with the Home Office currently reassessing his security, sources suggest the outcome for his security is almost ‘nailed on.’ This has allegedly instilled a sense of ease in the Duke, who is said to be comfortable with the idea of traveling with his wife and children. Though Prince William and Princess Kate are allegedly taking it as a ‘bitter pill,’ it has to do with a shift of balance within the family.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Shane Watson suggested that what complicates the matter is Markle’s renewed confidence outside royal life. “Of all the royals, William and Kate are the ones who will need to assume the brace position when the Sussex show rolls into town and, unfortunately for them, Meghan's year has started with a mega boosting bang,” she observed. Watson then shifted her focus to Markle’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, and the recent technical glitch that exposed her inventory figures, giving observant shoppers enough information to estimate how many jars of her signature fruit spread have been sold. If those calculations are correct, she argued, then the Duchess has earned a hefty £26.7 million (about $34 million) from jam sales alone. These numbers suggest that her brand has not only achieved huge sales figures but also found a strong audience base.
Based on this assessment, Watson suggested that the Duchess won’t return to the UK as a dutiful wife but as a well-established businesswoman. Watson also pushed back on the idea that Markle is often accused of causing division. Instead, she suggested that she would make a return feeling more confident, not embarrassed by the Spotify split, the changes to her Netflix deal, or comparisons with William and Kate’s popularity.
“She will happily return now because it will be as one of the Californian business elite, flying the flag of mindful wealth and success - all of which is going to make it even harder than it would have for the Waleses to swallow, and even more gripping to watch for the rest of us,” she opined. The relationship between the two couples started strongly. However, with the Sussexes' subsequent move to the US and Harry's many revelations in Spare, the ‘Fab Four’ now allegedly have a hard time seeing eye to eye.