Royal biographer Hugo Vickers has stirred debate by predicting that Prince Harry might eventually return to the UK without Meghan Markle, though he cautioned that such a move could be many years off.
On The Sun’s Royal Exclusive podcast, Vickers said he expects the Duke of Sussex to leave his California lifestyle behind and relocate back to Britain permanently. When royal editor Matt Wilkinson asked where he imagined the Sussexes would be in twenty years, the historian gave a notable prediction.
“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 author and historian suggested that King Charles III has kept an open invitation for his younger son to resume royal duties. Vickers noted Harry’s earlier contentment as a working royal prior to his 2020 departure alongside Meghan.
After stepping back from royal roles in 2020, Harry and Meghan established a new life in Montecito, California, living in a $29 million home with their two children, six-year-old Prince Archie and four-year-old Princess Lilibet. The pair have not traveled to the UK together since attending Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on September 19, 2022.
Harry has traveled to Britain alone, including a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 2024, for the Invictus Games 10th anniversary. He has formally designated the United States as his main residence, underscoring his separation from royal life.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield responded to Vickers’ forecast by saying any return is unlikely soon. She stressed Harry would not leave his young children behind in America, placing any realistic homecoming at least two decades away.
Bronte Coy, senior entertainment and royal reporter at News.com.au, acknowledged the complexity of Harry’s circumstances during the podcast. She observed that if his marriage ended, he would face an uncertain future because very few people share his unique status.
Vickers also discussed the wider state of Harry’s relationship with the royal family. He said King Charles has left room for reconciliation, while noting Harry seems to expect an apology from the family rather than offering one himself.
The biographer pointed out that Harry seems more hopeful about mending ties with his father than with his brother, Prince William, and that the rift between the princes remains a major barrier to any return to royal life.
Royal author Tom Quinn previously disclosed that Harry and Meghan proposed a split arrangement—spending six months in the UK and six months in the US—during the 2020 Megxit talks. The plan, reportedly driven largely by Meghan, would have had them serve as working royals for half the year in Britain.
Queen Elizabeth II rejected that proposal, insisting they choose whether to be fully in or out of the monarchy. “You’re either in or out,” the late monarch reportedly told them. King Charles has upheld that stance since succeeding her in September 2022.
Despite speculation about a comeback, sources close to the Sussexes say Meghan would never consider returning to the royal fold. The couple remain focused on their life in California, pursuing business interests and humanitarian work.
Discussion about Harry’s future with the royal family continues as the monarchy adjusts under King Charles. Whether Vickers’ prediction comes true is uncertain, but his remarks have revived debate over the possibility of Harry eventually coming back to Britain.