Veteran broadcast journalist Megyn Kelly has ignited fresh debate surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s reported return to the United Kingdom, asserting that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are motivated by a desire to reclaim public adoration and an elevated status they feel is lacking in their current California life. Speaking on "The Megyn Kelly Show" on Thursday, August 20, 2026, Kelly posited that the couple’s move back across the Atlantic stems from their inability to "stand not being adored and famous and welcomed everywhere."
Kelly, 55, elaborated on her theory, suggesting that the couple’s earlier claims of seeking privacy were disingenuous. She argued that the Sussexes anticipate an enhanced public profile in the UK, where they believe their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will be afforded the royal treatment they currently do not receive in the United States. This commentary adds another layer to the persistent scrutiny that has followed Harry and Meghan since their dramatic departure from senior royal duties in 2020.
The Sussexes’ Reported Relocation and Kelly’s Scathing Assessment
Reports indicating that Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan Markle, 45, along with their two young children, are preparing to relocate to Britain have sent ripples through both royal circles and the global media. This potential move marks a significant shift, coming more than six years after they famously stepped back as working members of the Royal Family and established a new life in Montecito, California. Kelly’s pointed remarks offer a stark, if controversial, explanation for this unexpected decision.
The former Fox News and NBC host did not mince words, suggesting that Meghan, in particular, is dissatisfied with her current lifestyle. "Her little kids are not getting the royal treatment, and neither is she," Kelly claimed, further speculating that the Duchess of Sussex likely "talked" her husband into the move. Kelly’s analysis underscores a narrative frequently pushed by critics of the couple: that their actions are driven by a craving for celebrity and influence, rather than a genuine desire for a quieter existence.
"Megxit" and the Pursuit of Privacy vs. Publicity
The backdrop to this latest development is the unprecedented "Megxit" in early 2020, when Harry and Meghan announced their intention to carve out a new progressive role within the monarchy, eventually leading to their full withdrawal from royal duties. Their stated ambition was to achieve financial independence and raise their family away from the intense glare of the British tabloid press, which they publicly criticized for its invasive practices. Their subsequent move to California and the signing of lucrative deals with platforms like Netflix and Spotify cemented their new identity as global media figures.
However, their public engagements, documentaries, and interviews, often detailing their experiences within the Royal Family, frequently blurred the lines between their stated desire for privacy and their continued presence in the public eye. Critics, including Kelly, have often highlighted this perceived contradiction, arguing that the couple seeks the benefits of royal association without its inherent responsibilities or traditional constraints.
Prince Harry’s Past Security Concerns
Kelly’s comments gain additional weight when juxtaposed with Prince Harry’s long-standing and very public concerns regarding his family’s safety in the UK. Following their departure from working royal life, the couple’s taxpayer-funded police security was withdrawn, a decision that Harry vocally challenged. He previously expressed profound reservations about bringing his wife and children back to Britain without adequate protection, stating he "could not possibly go back there… ‘Can’t see a world in which I’d be bringing my wife and children back to the UK.’"
This previous stance makes the reported relocation particularly puzzling for many observers. Harry initiated legal action against the UK government over the security issue, arguing that the lack of official protection made it unsafe for his family to visit his homeland. This legal battle underscored the seriousness with which he viewed the threat, raising questions about what, if anything, has changed regarding these security arrangements to facilitate a permanent return.
The Royal Children and Their Status
A significant element of Kelly’s argument centers on the children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While born into royal lineage, their lives in California have been largely private, away from the constant public engagements and ceremonial duties that define the upbringing of their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Kelly suggests that Meghan desires her children to be "brought up as the little prince and princess they are," implying a wish for them to experience the privileges and recognition associated with their titles within the UK.
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor hold the titles of Prince and Princess by right of their grandfather, King Charles III, ascending the throne. However, their physical distance from the UK has limited their exposure to royal life. A return to Britain could fundamentally alter their childhoods, potentially immersing them more deeply into the traditions and public expectations of the monarchy, regardless of their parents’ non-working royal status.
A Summer Reunion and Lingering Security Questions
Last month, Meghan and her children made a brief, private trip to the UK, marking their first reunion with King Charles since 2022. This visit, which notably included the children meeting their grandfather for the first time in years, only materialized after Harry reportedly arranged private security for his family. This arrangement was crucial given the ongoing dispute over their official protection.
The success of this private visit, despite initial apprehension, highlights the complex interplay between family desire and security realities. However, a short, privately secured visit differs significantly from a permanent relocation. The question of who would "foot the bill" for their security upon a permanent move remains a contentious and unresolved issue, fueling public debate and adding another layer of complexity to their potential return. This unresolved aspect could pose a substantial challenge to the couple’s reintegration into British life.
Broader Implications for the Monarchy and Public Perception
The prospect of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returning to the UK carries significant implications for the British monarchy and public perception. Their departure was a major upheaval for the Royal Family, forcing them to adapt to a streamlined, more focused core of working royals. A return, even as non-working members, could reignite old tensions and necessitate new protocols regarding their roles, public appearances, and relationship with other senior royals.
Public opinion in the UK towards the couple has been polarized since "Megxit." While some segments of the population remain supportive, many others have grown critical, particularly after their candid interviews and documentaries. Their return would inevitably lead to renewed scrutiny from the British press and public, potentially influencing the monarchy’s image and its efforts to project stability and unity. The question of whether the public would embrace their return or view it with cynicism remains open.
The Unpredictable Path Ahead
Should the Duke and Duchess of Sussex indeed relocate to the UK, their journey will be fraught with both opportunities and challenges. They would likely seek a private residence outside of London, maintaining a degree of separation from the immediate royal orbit. The education of Archie and Lilibet would become a significant decision, potentially placing them in British schools and closer to their royal cousins.
However, the media landscape in the UK remains notoriously intense, and their attempts to balance privacy with their public profiles would undoubtedly face renewed pressure. The ongoing dynamic with the rest of the Royal Family, particularly with Prince William and King Charles, would also be a focal point of public and media interest. Megyn Kelly’s provocative assessment, while just one voice in a chorus of commentary, encapsulates the enduring fascination and often critical lens through which the world views Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they navigate their unique path between royal heritage and independent celebrity.
