Meghan's Lack of 'Affection for Britain' Could Derail Her Reunion With King Charles, Says Expert
According to royal expert , Meghan Markle's poor reputation among the British public will also be a hindrance.
After a long fight to reinstate his security in the UK, a ray of hope emerged for Prince Harry following an official review that he met the criteria for taxpayer-funded protection. As the Duke of Sussex grows confident in his win, royal watchers remain hopeful it could also pave the way for him and Meghan Markle to reunite with King Charles. However, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claims two major hindrances remain, warning that Markle's lack of interest and poor ratings in Britain could potentially derail any meeting with the royal family.
Speaking to GB News, Fitzwilliams revealed that while Harry's potential security win could 'open the door' to a UK return, Markle's reputation among the UK public was 'terrible.' He said, "It would open the door, but if you look at the polls, her (Meghan's) ratings are absolutely terrible...Then there is the case that she does not appear to have any affection for Britain." Explaining how a meetup with the King would not be as simple, he added, "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."
The Duke of Sussex's Invictus Games will be hosted in Birmingham in 2027, with reports suggesting that Harry has already invited Charles to attend as an olive-branch gesture. If Markle were to attend the event, as she typically does, it could result in a potential awkward encounter with the monarch. While the Prince has made regular trips back to the UK, the Duchess of Sussex has not returned since 2022, when she attended the late Queen Elizabeth's funeral, an occasion marked by her visibly icy dynamic with the royal family.
Shortly after Harry's security update was made public, royal expert Duncan Larcombe discussed how concerns about her protection always played a central role in Markle's absence from UK visits. He told The Mirror, "The security issue has essentially been used as an excuse for Meghan not to come to the UK in the last few years. But many people think the real reason is to do with the public reaction that she'd receive over here." He suggested that if the protection is put back in place for Harry and Markle when they are in the UK, then there would be no excuse for the Duchess to stay away, potentially considering a U-turn.
Markle's poor ratings in Britain, as confirmed by many polls, coupled with her well-settled life in Montecito, would not make for an easy UK return. As Larcombe also believes the return won't be straightforward, adding, "But, effectively, she'll [Markle] come face to face with the British public and members of the family that she's been at pains to criticize. She will want to support Harry how she can, and has also said that she doesn't like to be away from her children for long, so there are going to be some difficult decisions either way."
