Royal author Hugo Vickers has sparked conversation by forecasting that Prince Harry may one day come back to the UK without Meghan Markle, although he warned such a development might not happen for many years.
During an appearance on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive podcast, Vickers said he anticipates the Duke of Sussex will abandon his life in California and move back to Britain on a permanent basis. When Matt Wilkinson, the royal editor, questioned where he envisioned the Sussexes in two decades, the historian provided his forecast.
“I think he’ll come home, and if he comes home, we must be very nice to him because he won’t particularly want to,” Vickers said during the podcast appearance.
The historian and writer indicated that King Charles III has maintained an open door for his younger son to return to royal responsibilities. Vickers referenced Harry’s previous satisfaction as a working royal before his 2020 exit with Meghan.
Following their withdrawal from royal positions, Harry and Meghan created a new existence in Montecito, California, residing in a $29 million residence with their two children, six-year-old Prince Archie and four-year-old Princess Lilibet. The couple has not made a joint trip to the UK since participating in Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on Sept. 19, 2022.
Harry has traveled to Britain by himself, including an appearance at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 2024, for the Invictus Games 10th anniversary. He has officially listed the United States as his primary residence, highlighting his distance from royal life.
Royal analyst Kinsey Schofield reacted to Vickers’ prediction by stating any return is improbable in the near term. She emphasized Harry would not abandon his young children behind in America, positioning any plausible homecoming at minimum two decades in the future.
Bronte Coy, senior entertainment and royal correspondent at News.com.au, recognized the intricacy of Harry’s situation during the podcast. She noted that should his marriage dissolve, he would confront an unclear future because extremely few individuals share his distinctive position.
Vickers also discussed the broader condition of Harry’s relations with the royal family. He stated King Charles has maintained space for reconciliation, while observing Harry appears to anticipate an apology from the family instead of providing one himself.
The biographer observed that Harry appears more optimistic about repairing relations with his father than with his brother, Prince William, and that the division between the princes continues to be a significant obstacle to any return to royal life.
Royal writer Tom Quinn previously revealed that Harry and Meghan suggested a divided arrangement—allocating six months in the UK and six months in the US—during the 2020 Megxit negotiations. The strategy, primarily initiated by Meghan, would have involved them functioning as working royals for half the year in Britain.
In a separate development, royal author Tom Bower released a new book in March 2026, making explosive claims about the Sussex saga. Extracts published in The Times of London alleged that Queen Camilla once told a friend that Meghan had “brainwashed” Harry, and that Prince William and Princess Catherine “evidently saw Meghan as a threat rather than an ally” as tensions escalated before the couple’s departure. Harry and Meghan hit back in a strongly worded statement, calling Bower’s writing “deranged conspiracy and melodrama” and accusing him of crossing “the line from criticism into fixation.”
Queen Elizabeth II declined that proposal, demanding they decide whether to be completely in or out of the monarchy. “You’re either in or out,” the late monarch told them. King Charles has maintained that position since ascending in September 2022.
Despite conjecture about a return, sources near the Sussexes indicate Meghan would never contemplate rejoining the royal fold. The couple continues to concentrate on broadening their presence beyond California, with a journey to Australia scheduled for mid-April 2026 for business and philanthropic activities. The trip has already attracted criticism, with a Change.org petition signed by over 32,000 Australians protesting taxpayers’ financing their security expenses. VIP tickets for Meghan’s women’s retreat in Sydney are valued between $1,930 and $2,288, while seats for Harry’s keynote address in Melbourne begin at $1,415. Meanwhile, sources say Meghan believes the couple is now in a stronger position than the royal family, telling Harry they have greater cultural relevance and reach than the monarchy in its current state.
Conversation about Harry’s future with the royal family persists as the monarchy adapts under King Charles. Whether Vickers’ prediction materializes is unclear, but his comments have reignited debate over the prospect of Harry eventually returning to Britain.