As Prince Harry makes efforts to rebuild his relationship with the royal family and hopes to spend more time in the UK, Meghan Markle is reportedly feeling uneasy about the idea of re-engaging with royal life.
She is said to feel “threatened” by the possibility of stepping back into the royal spotlight. Recently, Harry completed a successful four-day solo trip to the UK, during which he reunited with his father, King Charles, for the first time in over a year and a half.
When asked how his father was during a reception for the Invictus Games, Prince Harry who had met with King Charles for just 54 minutes at Clarence House replied, “Yes, he’s great, thank you.”
He appeared in good spirits, smiling and joking with guests at the central London event, showing a much lighter and more relaxed demeanor compared to his more reserved appearances during past visits to the UK.
Prince Harry’s recent trip to the UK and his positive, albeit brief, meeting with King Charles has sparked renewed hope for a possible reconciliation with the wider royal family. However, concerns have been raised about how this could impact Meghan Markle.
Former royal correspondent Jennie Bond suggested that Meghan might feel “somewhat threatened” by the idea of Harry being drawn back into the royal fold. A psychologist also warned that such developments could potentially trigger past trauma for Meghan.
Meghan has previously been candid about her difficult experiences during her time in the UK. In her interview with Oprah Winfrey, she described feeling isolated and struggling with her mental health, even reaching a point where she “didn’t want to be alive” yet said she was denied professional support.
Additionally, court documents from her legal battle over the publication of a personal letter to her father revealed that Meghan felt “unprotected by the institution” and unable to defend herself publicly, particularly while pregnant with her son, Prince Archie.
Psychologist Clare Deacon explains that Meghan’s past trauma won’t simply vanish because she moved far away. She says that distance doesn’t erase those experiences, and returning to a place that once felt emotionally unsafe can bring back old fears, doubts, and protective instincts.
Deacon adds that if reconciliation with the royal family results in Meghan spending more time in the UK, it’s natural for her to feel conflicted caught between a sense of duty, her own identity, and the peace she has created for herself since leaving.
The psychologist also warned that Meghan might risk “losing herself again” if she even temporarily returns to her old royal life after having found her voice and rebuilt her wellbeing.
Recently, a close friend of Prince Harry shared with The Times that he remains determined to reconnect his family with the UK. “He wants them to know their family here. He really would like to come back to the UK much more,” the friend said.
The report mentioned that Harry is planning a discreet approach to addressing security concerns and that private efforts to lobby the government will continue. However, including their children, Archie and Lilibet, in any return plans could make the situation even more challenging and unsettling for Meghan.
Psychologist Clare, who founded the therapy and coaching platform Happya, says Meghan’s natural instinct will be to protect her children, Archie and Lilibet, from the pain she has gone through. Because of this, even a short visit to the UK could be very challenging for her.
If a trip to Britain becomes unavoidable, Clare suggests that Meghan should carefully identify what feels unsafe to her distinguishing between past trauma and the current situation—and establish clear boundaries to protect both herself and her children.
Prince Harry, 41, has expressed that he “would love” to reconcile with his family. However, after losing his High Court appeal regarding security arrangements in the UK, he stated that he “can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK.”
In July, rumours of reconciliation grew stronger following a meeting between senior aides from King Charles’s office and representatives from Harry and Meghan’s communications team.
Meredith Maines from the Sussexes’ California-based PR team and her UK counterpart, Liam Maguire, were seen on the balcony of a private members’ club in London with Tobyn Andreae, the King’s communications secretary, in what were described as “secret peace talks.”
Last month, Meghan shared how much she enjoys the freedom of life in Montecito, California, describing parts of her experience as a working royal in the UK as “inauthentic.”
Whether the Sussexes fully reconcile with the royal family may hinge not only on Harry’s desire to return home but also on Meghan’s strong resolve to protect the independence she has worked so hard to regain.