ROYAL FAMILY NEWSKing Charles Secretly Pushed for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Return to the U.K., Source Claims: 'A Strategic Decision for the Family'
Insiders claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were 'informally encouraged' to return to the U.K. by King Charles.
Aug. 30 2026, Published 5:31 p.m. ET
King Charles reportedly played a big part in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the United Kingdom, according to sources.
Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, were "informally encouraged by King Charles to return to the U.K. because the king believes that the royal family is stronger united," a friend of the king told The Daily Beast on Sunday, August 30.
'Stand-Off Needed to Be Resolved'
The source said Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the U.K. was a 'strategic decision' for the royal family.
"The king’s faith has played a part, but ultimately this is a strategic decision for the good of the family," the source continued, adding, "The stand-off needed to be resolved."
When questioned about the potential support of Prince William, the source said that Charles, 77, made it clear to his heir that the future of the monarchy was the king's "top priority."
Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's U.K. Return
Prince Harry visited his father ahead of the announcement in July.
Though the insider didn't elaborate on the "differences of opinion on specifics" between Charles and William, only saying that the king was "immensely" proud of his son and his wife, Kate Middleton.
As OK! previously reported, Harry and Meghan returned to the United Kingdom on August 26. The couple, accompanied with their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, arrived at Birmingham Airport around lunch time and relied on their own private security team.
- Prince Harry Is Already Operating Under 'Half-In, Half-Out' Royal Deal After His Reunion With King Charles: Source
- King Charles Says 'You're the Problem Now' as Prince William and Kate Middleton Resist Reunion With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Sources Reveal
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'Figuring Out an Agreement' for His U.K. Return Amid Rumored Marriage Tension, Sources Claim: 'It's Make-or-Break'
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Returning for an 'Extended Amount of Time'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'secured a private, non-royal home' in the United Kingdom.
Though the couple has not revealed the reason for their relocation from Montecito, Calif., though People reported the family-of-four would move to the U.K. for an "extended amount of time" following Harry's visit with his father weeks earlier.
The pair reportedly "secured a private, non-royal home," though its location has not been disclosed for "security and privacy reasons."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Stepped Back From Royal Duties in 2020
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their home in Montecito, Calif., after leaving the U.K.
The couple stepped back from their duties as senior royals and moved to California in 2020.
At the time, the late Queen Elizabeth II rejected the Spare author's proposal for a "half in, half out" role within the monarchy and determined that the couple could not be working royals while also pursuing independent, income-generating ventures.
Sources have now exclusively told OK! that Harry had already begun operating under an informal "half-in, half-out" arrangement.
"The practical reality is becoming much closer to the kind of transatlantic 'half-in, half-out' existence he hoped might be possible when he first stepped away under the terms of Megxit," the insider explained. "Harry and Meghan are keeping their mansion in California to preserve the independence he and Meghan have built there, while simultaneously establishing a much more substantial presence in Britain."
