Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly determined to continue their charitable work and public initiatives despite renewed questions about their status within the Royal Family, potentially setting the couple on a collision course with Buckingham Palace.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to the UK with their children in late August 2026, six years after leaving Britain to establish an independent life in the United States. Their return has reportedly reignited debate over whether they will remain non-working royals or seek a more prominent role in public life.
At the centre of the dispute is the King’s reported description of the couple as private citizens rather than public figures. According to a source quoted by Woman & Home, Harry and Meghan believe they still have much to contribute to charities and other good causes.
The source claimed that the couple would not abandon their involvement with the Invictus Games or Harry’s work with WellChild, adding that the situation could create further friction with the Palace.
The claims have not been independently confirmed by the couple, and their precise intentions regarding future royal duties remain unclear.
Harry and Meghan moved back to Britain in late August (Image: Getty)
Harry’s reported question about Earl Spencer’s new book
Prince Harry reportedly had an important question for his uncle, Earl Spencer, after learning that he was preparing to publish a book about his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Duke of Sussex, 42, was said to have had no objections to the book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. Prince William, however, was reportedly angered by the revelations surrounding its publication.
Earl Spencer subsequently confirmed that he had not discussed the memoir with members of the Royal Family before its release. According to the earl, only his wife and publishers knew he was writing it.
The book has attracted attention because of its claims about Diana’s death and the Royal Family’s response to the tragedy in 1997.
Prince Harry (Image: GETTY)
Meghan Markle’s next public appearance remains uncertain
Meghan Markle could remain out of the public eye for several more weeks, according to a royal commentator quoted by the Daily Express.
The Duchess reportedly settled in the Cotswolds with Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, following the family’s return to Britain in August.
Although the couple’s relocation has generated considerable speculation, there has been no definitive announcement outlining Meghan’s next public engagement.
Meghan Markle (Image: GETTY)
Meghan’s lifestyle advice draws online reactions
Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, recently shared a photograph of the duchess alongside some of her hosting advice.
Among her recommendations was preparing as much as possible before guests arrive and leaving one simple task until the end.
The post prompted a range of reactions on social media, including criticism from some users. The response has added to the online discussion surrounding Meghan’s lifestyle business and her return to the UK.
Earl Spencer (Image: GETTY)
Former Hollywood agent weighs in on Meghan’s acting career
Meghan’s former Hollywood agent has reportedly offered a critical assessment of her acting career, nearly a decade after she began moving away from the profession.
The duchess announced in 2017, shortly after becoming engaged to Prince Harry, that she intended to step back from acting as she prepared for a new life within the Royal Family.
Since then, Meghan has pursued other projects, including her lifestyle venture and charitable activities.
Meghan reportedly takes up reformer Pilates
Meghan Markle (Image: GETTY)
Meghan has reportedly been attending reformer Pilates sessions at a private club near the family’s new home in the Cotswolds.
The classes are said to take place in a facility described as a “Wellness Barn”. The reported activity comes as the duchess adjusts to life back in Britain with Harry and their children.
The couple have not publicly confirmed details of their daily routine following their relocation.
Prince Harry’s Invictus Games secures reported Amazon sponsorship
Meghan Markle (Image: GETTY)
The Invictus Games has reportedly secured a major sponsorship agreement with Amazon ahead of its next event.
The initiative, founded by Prince Harry, supports wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans through an international sporting competition.
Reports have suggested that Harry drew on his network of high-profile contacts to help secure the agreement. Further details about the reported arrangement were not included in the original coverage.
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s lesser-known nicknames
Meghan Markle (Image: GETTY)
King Charles and Queen Camilla have been associated with lesser-known nicknames in a recent interview involving one of Camilla’s relatives.
Although the monarch and his wife are generally addressed by their formal royal titles in public, they also have family relationships and informal names used in private settings.
The interview offered a glimpse into a more personal side of the couple’s lives away from official engagements.
Buckingham Palace’s clarification sparks debate over Harry and Meghan’s status
The Sussexes’ return to Britain has renewed questions about their position within the monarchy.
Buckingham Palace reportedly issued a letter to government officials and military representatives clarifying the couple’s status as non-working royals. The communication was issued by Lord Chamberlain Richard Benyon, the Palace’s most senior official.
The clarification has fuelled debate over whether Harry and Meghan could undertake any public-facing activities associated with the monarchy while maintaining their independent status.
Some commentators have interpreted the Palace’s position as a firm boundary, while others have questioned how the couple’s charitable work might fit within the existing arrangements.
King Charles’s cousin speaks out in television debut
Alexandra “Alix” Mountbatten, the second daughter of Lord Ivar Mountbatten and a cousin of King Charles, has appeared in Channel 4’s survival series Apocalypse.
The programme places two groups of strangers in an abandoned town without initially informing them of each other’s presence. Participants must find ways to survive by scavenging, recycling and reusing available materials.
In a clip from the show, the 28-year-old acknowledges that people may perceive her as a privileged, wealthy white woman.
Princess Kate hosts a special event at Windsor Castle
Catherine, Princess of Wales, recently welcomed participants in the Three Peaks Challenge to Windsor Castle for a special tea party.
The gathering brought together people who had completed the demanding challenge, along with their families, giving them an opportunity to discuss their experiences and motivations.
Photographs and video shared by the Prince and Princess of Wales showed Catherine speaking with attendees during the event.
The engagement also attracted attention because Catherine joined William for the occasion, offering a glimpse of the couple undertaking a joint public appearance after the summer.
Royal biographer recalls King Charles’s reaction to Diana’s death
Royal biographer Tom Bower has disputed claims about King Charles’s reaction when he learned of Diana’s death in August 1997.
Speaking on The Royals Uncensored podcast, Bower said he had spoken with three people who were at Balmoral with the Royal Family when the news arrived.
His comments followed the publication of Earl Spencer’s memoir, which includes allegations about Charles’s response to his former wife’s death.
The differing accounts have renewed discussion about the events surrounding Diana’s death and the memories of those who were present.
King Charles faces calls to address slavery during Bahamas visit
King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to visit the Bahamas between October 27 and November 4, 2026.
Ahead of the visit, Dr Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean, chair of the Bahamas National Reparations Committee, called on the monarch to acknowledge the historical legacy of slavery and British colonial rule.
Activists have also urged the King to arrive prepared to address the issue, including calls for an apology and tangible action.
The demands form part of a wider debate over reparations and the lasting effects of slavery across the Caribbean.
Princess Beatrice spotted with Spotify executive
Princess Beatrice was reportedly seen dining in London with Dustee Jenkins, a senior Spotify executive known for her crisis-management expertise.
Beatrice’s husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, was also present at the gathering at Dorian, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Notting Hill.
Jenkins was reportedly celebrating her birthday during the evening.
The meeting attracted attention amid continued scrutiny of Beatrice’s family connections and her parents’ association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Sarah Ferguson’s reported memoir plans remain uncertain
Speculation continues over whether Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, could publish a memoir addressing recent controversies surrounding her life.
Royal historian Andrew Lownie has suggested that there could be an ulterior motive behind reports of a potential tell-all book. However, sources close to Ferguson have previously denied that she has plans to write a memoir.
Ferguson has maintained a low public profile since losing her titles last year, and reports about her whereabouts have remained inconsistent.
No confirmed publication plans have been announced.
Prince William reportedly urges a firm approach towards Harry and Meghan
Prince William is reportedly encouraging King Charles to maintain a firm position regarding Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain.
The Sussexes’ relocation has raised questions about their future relationship with the monarchy, particularly after reports that they withdrew their children from school following security concerns.
The King’s reported clarification of their status as private citizens has also attracted attention, with commentators offering differing interpretations of its implications.
While some see the statement as establishing clear limits on the couple’s role, others believe it leaves open questions about how their charitable activities will operate in the UK.
Neither William nor Charles has publicly confirmed the alleged discussions about how to handle the Sussexes’ return.
William and Kate make joint appearance amid family tensions
William and Catherine undertook a joint engagement at Everton’s home ground in Liverpool to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
It was their first joint public appearance since the Sussexes returned to Britain, prompting speculation about the timing and significance of the engagement.
Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe described the appearance as a show of solidarity between the Prince and Princess of Wales.
However, there has been no official indication that the engagement was arranged as a response to Harry and Meghan’s return or intended to send a message to the couple.
Piers Morgan renews criticism of Earl Spencer
Broadcaster Piers Morgan has again criticised Earl Spencer over the contents of his memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.
Journalist Tina Brown announced plans to interview Spencer about the book at an event in New York, with a livestream subsequently made available.
Morgan responded to Brown’s announcement on social media, questioning why Spencer continued selling copies of the memoir after issuing an apology over a statement concerning Morgan that he described as defamatory.
The exchange adds another layer to the controversy surrounding Spencer’s book and its claims about the Royal Family.
Meghan’s friend discusses the duchess’s return to Britain
Kelly McKee Zajfen, one of Meghan’s close friends, has reportedly shared observations about the duchess’s reception in Britain following the family’s return.
Harry and Meghan moved back to the UK in August with Archie and Lilibet, marking their first return to living in Britain since leaving royal duties in 2020.
The family has reportedly received visits from friends travelling from the United States, including Zajfen.
The extent to which the couple intend to establish a long-term base in Britain has not been publicly clarified.
Earl Spencer accuses Buckingham Palace of ‘gaslighting’
Earl Spencer has accused Buckingham Palace of attempting to undermine his credibility following the publication of his memoir.
In Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, Spencer alleges that King Charles made a dismissive remark about Diana after her death and describes the monarch’s reaction as unusually upbeat.
Buckingham Palace has disputed the account, suggesting that grief can affect judgment and colour a person’s memories.
Speaking to Gayle King on CBS Mornings, Spencer rejected the suggestion that his recollections were unreliable, accusing the Palace of trying to make people question his memory.
The disagreement has prompted renewed debate about the competing accounts of Diana’s final days and the immediate aftermath of her death.
Prince William’s reported anger towards Harry has eased
Reports citing royal insiders suggest that William’s anger towards his younger brother may have diminished over time.
Relations between the brothers have been strained since Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020, with tensions further publicised by the release of his memoir, Spare.
The brothers have reportedly had little communication in recent years, and their relationship remains distant.
However, claims that William’s feelings have changed have not been confirmed by either prince.
Kate is reportedly not taking on the role of family peacemaker
Catherine is not expected to intervene directly in the rift between William and Harry, according to comments featured in a documentary titled Harry & Meghan: The Return of the Prince.
Omid Scobie, a writer who has followed the Sussexes closely, said that Catherine had relatively little influence over the relationship between the brothers.
Erin Hill, a royal writer at People, said Palace insiders had described William and Catherine as concentrating on their responsibilities and the future.
Their reported approach is a traditional one: remain composed, continue their public duties and avoid being drawn into the dispute.
With the Sussexes back in Britain and questions about their status still unresolved, the wider Royal Family continues to face speculation about how the relationships will develop in the months ahead.
Express launches new royal video podcast
The Daily Express has announced Royals Unscripted, a weekly video podcast scheduled to launch on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Hosted by Express Royal Editor Emily Ferguson and commentator Carole Malone, the 30-minute programme will be released every Thursday at 7am on YouTube and major podcast platforms.
The show promises to examine three major royal stories each week, combining reporting from Ferguson’s royal contacts with Malone’s commentary.
Viewers can find the programme on the Royals Unscripted YouTube channel