Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s surprise return to Britain has reignited speculation about whether the couple could eventually repair their fractured relationship with the Royal Family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to the UK with their two children on August 26, landing at Birmingham Airport after six years living in California. The family is expected to remain in Britain for an “extended” period, while Archie and Lilibet have been enrolled at a British school.
However, their return does not mean Harry and Meghan are rejoining the working Royal Family. They remain non-working royals and private individuals, with no plans to resume official royal duties.
Claims of an apology over the Oprah interview
Against that backdrop, Express.co.uk reported claims that Harry and Meghan could be considering an apology to members of the Royal Family over comments made during their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
During the televised interview, Meghan said there had been “concerns and conversations” within the Royal Family about how dark the skin of her and Harry’s baby might be before Archie was born.
According to a source quoted by Express, the couple now believe they went too far and would like to address the comments as part of a possible reconciliation with Harry’s family.
The source claimed Meghan in particular regrets the allegation and that both she and Harry recognize that their comments contributed to the damage in their relationship with the wider Royal Family.
However, these claims come from an unnamed source and should be treated as such. There has been no public confirmation from Harry or Meghan that they intend to issue an apology.
A source said Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are planning to apologise to the Royal Family. (Image: Getty)
Express commentators question the couple’s motives
The reported apology was discussed on the Daily Expresso programme by host JJ Anisiobi and Daily Express Associate Editor James Walker.
Walker expressed skepticism about the idea of a reconciliation, questioning whether an apology would genuinely be about repairing family relationships.
He suggested that Harry and Meghan could also be motivated by practical concerns surrounding their return to Britain, including security and their desire to resume a more public life.
Walker also described the couple as potentially feeling “bored” or “redundant” after stepping away from royal duties, while questioning how seriously members of the Royal Family would take an apology.
The programme also considered whether any apology should be made privately or publicly. Both commentators argued that, given the highly public nature of the original Oprah interview, a public apology could ultimately be necessary.
Their return to Britain marks a dramatic change
Harry and Meghan’s decision to relocate from California represents one of the biggest developments in their relationship with Britain since they stepped back as working royals in 2020.
The couple left the UK six years ago and established their life in California. Their decision to return was announced unexpectedly in August, with reports that they intended to settle at a private, non-royal residence outside London.
Their arrival at Birmingham Airport on August 26 confirmed that the move was no longer simply a plan. The couple travelled privately with Archie and Lilibet, while their representatives declined to comment on their travel arrangements because of privacy and security concerns.
The family is also understood to have retained its home in Montecito, meaning the move does not necessarily represent a complete break with their life in the United States.
Security remains a major issue
Harry’s long-running dispute over security in Britain is another important factor surrounding the family’s return.
The Sussexes left the UK after stepping back from royal duties and have repeatedly raised concerns about their security arrangements when visiting Britain. Their return has therefore renewed questions about what level of protection they will receive and who will pay for it.
When Harry and Meghan arrived in Birmingham in August, there was no visible police escort as they left the airport.
Their status was also subsequently clarified by the Palace. In September, King Charles confirmed through a letter issued to senior officials that Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the Royal Family and private citizens. Their charitable activities are undertaken privately, while decisions concerning their security remain the responsibility of the relevant authorities.
A possible thaw with King Charles
Despite the continuing tensions, there have been signs of limited personal contact between Harry and his father.
Harry, Meghan and their children met King Charles and Queen Camilla privately at Highgrove in July, shortly before the Sussexes announced their plans to return to Britain. The meeting was notable because it came after years of strained relations between Harry and other members of the Royal Family.
The UK move has therefore created an unusual situation: Harry and Meghan are physically much closer to the Royal Family than they have been since 2020, yet they are not returning to official royal duties.
Whether that proximity will lead to a lasting reconciliation remains uncertain.
The Oprah interview continues to cast a shadow
The 2021 Oprah interview remains one of the most consequential moments in the breakdown between the Sussexes and the Royal Family.
Meghan’s comments about conversations over Archie’s potential skin colour caused intense controversy, while Harry and Meghan also discussed their experiences within the institution and their decision to step away from royal duties.
Any attempt to rebuild trust would therefore have to contend with not only the original allegations but also years of public interviews, media coverage, legal disputes and Harry’s memoir Spare.
For now, there is no confirmed announcement of an apology.
What is clear is that Harry and Meghan are once again living in Britain, with their children attending school there and the family attempting to establish a new chapter away from their previous life in California. Their return has brought them closer to the Royal Family—but whether it can also bring them closer emotionally remains an open question.