This week, Prince Harry is U.K.-bound—it’s part of his annual commitment to attend the 20th anniversary of the WellChild Awards, an organization he’s been patron of since 2007. Also on the docket? Royal rumors are flying that he is set to meet with his father, King Charles, while in town, a reunion that would mark a monumental milestone in their years-long estrangement. A recent report in The Daily Express even hinted at a potential return to royal duties for Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle. But is there any merit to that claim?
Wait, Are Harry & Meghan Actually Considering a Return to Senior Royal Duties?
Speculation reigns
Published Sep 7, 2025
•2:00pm
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Prince Harry Never Intended to Fully Relinquish Royal Duties
Per the Express, who chatted with royal expert and podcaster, Kristen Meinzer—a repeat guest on the Royally Obsessed podcast—Harry was clear from the beginning that he was always looking for a part-time role within the monarchy vs. being totally cut off. As Meinzer describes: Ahead of their now infamous exit in early 2020, Harry and Meghan were actually interested in something more similar to the path that Edward and Sophie followed early on in their marriage. The chance to pursue their own passions while also serving the crown. But Queen Elizabeth II was the one to officially deny the half in, half out request, which led to a full-blown departure (and one that heightened the royal rift).
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The Pressure is on for King Charles to Revise the Plan
Following a recent sighting of King Charles’s team holding what was dubbed a “peace summit” with representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in London earlier this summer, there’s been much more public pressure on the monarch to extend an olive branch to his second-born son. Whether that means a part-time return to official royal duties or simply more regular FaceTimes is TBD. But, per Meinzer, Charles is not his mother. “If he arranged for their duties to have both some flexibility and a great deal of safety, I think Harry and Meghan would certainly consider accepting the opportunity.”
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Meghan and Harry Are Settled Firmly in Montecito
A new school year recently started for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in Montecito. (Meghan shared back-to-school tips with People in honor of the occasion.) The second season of With Love, Meghan just debuted. Harry makes regular appearances on his wife’s Instagram feed, which showcase the pair’s blossoming life in California. All of this together makes one thing clear: The United States is very much their home. As for whether they’d consider more of a hybrid model that takes them between the west coast and the U.K. more often, there’s likely room to discuss. (Frogmore Cottage is still available, after all; but also, Harry would like to show his children his homeland—he’s been clear about that.)
Does that mean the pair would say yes to a job offer and also that one is about to be extended? Before we take that leap, let’s first see if Harry and Charles can even align their royal diaries to meet.
