Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, could face significant challenges settling back into life in the UK, where she remains unpopular and her relationship with members of the Royal Family remains complicated.
Prince Harry and Meghan are reportedly preparing to return to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, six years after stepping down as senior working royals and relocating to the United States.
The couple’s return is expected to place renewed attention on Meghan’s relationship with the British public and the Royal Family, particularly given the criticism and revelations that followed their departure.
Historian Ed Owens said Meghan’s adjustment could prove more difficult than Harry’s, given her previous experiences in Britain.
“I think there’s more questions sort of over her and how she re-adapts to life back in the United Kingdom,” Owens said.
He noted that Meghan had spent the past six years attempting to rebuild her public image and establish herself independently in the US.
“How she will cope is difficult to answer at this stage because you know she’s tried successively over the last six years to reinvent her public image to relaunch her brand,” he added.
Harry, meanwhile, has maintained strong links with Britain through his charitable activities and has repeatedly expressed his desire for his children to develop a relationship with members of his family.
Meghan’s reported return has also been linked to a possible acting opportunity in a UK-based production. The former actress, who rose to fame through the television series Suits, has not ruled out returning to acting.
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Talent manager Jonathan Shalit told the Press Association that Meghan could still attract interest from the entertainment industry.
“If Meghan decided tomorrow that she seriously wanted to act again, directors and producers would absolutely want to meet her and audition her,” he said.
However, Meghan continues to face a largely negative public perception in Britain. A YouGov poll released in July found that 65 per cent of Britons viewed her unfavourably.
Her relationship with the British media has also remained strained. In their Netflix documentary, Meghan spoke about the intense scrutiny she faced after joining the Royal Family.
“Truth be told, no matter how hard I tried, no matter how good I was, no matter what I did, they were still going to find a way to destroy me,” she said.
Her return could also revive tensions surrounding the couple’s decision to leave royal duties. Meghan and Harry have previously spoken publicly about their experiences within the Royal Family, including allegations of racism and disagreements with senior royals.
Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare, further strained relations after he made several claims about his brother, Prince William, and his wife, Catherine.
Royal expert Owens, however, believes the couple’s decision to return is primarily focused on their children and family stability.
He said the Sussexes were “not coming back for another fight with the wider royal family, that’s not their purpose here.”
“They want stability for their family … stability for their children,” he added.