Donald Trump doesn't do nuance. When asked about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returning to the UK after six years in California, the US president offered a characteristically blunt verdict. He is glad they are back, mostly because he thought they treated the British monarchy with outright disrespect.
"I was not a fan," Trump told reporters during a press conference alongside travel executives.
That statement surprises nobody who has followed the years-long, low-grade feud between the outspoken American politician and the celebrity royal couple. Trump has never hidden his disdain for Meghan, dating back to her harsh criticisms of him during the 2016 election cycle. Harry and Meghan's 2020 departure for Montecito, California—dubbed Megxit—created an immediate transatlantic media storm. Now that they are back on British soil for an extended stay, political figures on both sides of the Atlantic are weighing in.
Trump's commentary goes deeper than standard political posturing. He leans heavily on his professed admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II and his ongoing rapport with King Charles III. Watching the 1953 coronation on television as a boy with his Scottish-born mother shaped his romanticized view of the British crown. To Trump, disrespecting the institution is a cardinal sin. "If I were the royal family, I would not have taken them back," he remarked, capturing the skepticism shared by many traditionalists.
The reality of Harry and Meghan's return is complicated. They spent six years building a commercial brand in America through Archewell, producing Netflix documentaries, and launching various media ventures. Moving back to the UK doesn't mean they are stepping back into working royal roles. Buckingham Palace has made it clear that the rigid boundaries set by the late Queen still stand. There is no half-in, half-out arrangement on the table. They remain private individuals navigating a deeply fractured relationship with the rest of the family.
Taxpayer funding for their security detail remains a major flashpoint in British media. When you live as a high-profile public figure, protection costs millions. British citizens footing the bill for a couple who chose to step down from official duties creates immense friction. Ministers and security officials face mounting pressure to clarify who pays for what as the couple settles in for an extended period.
Trump's public jabs serve a dual purpose. They stroke his base's appreciation for traditional monarchical order while feeding his ongoing penchant for celebrity commentary. Whether King Charles welcomes more personal time with his son and grandchildren or not, the political spotlight follows Harry and Meghan wherever they unpack their bags.
The royal family survives by guarding its mystique. Harry and Meghan spent years trying to demystify it on their own terms through tell-all interviews and publishing deals. Now that the pendulum swings back toward London, the friction between private lives and public duty is bound to intensify.
Stop expecting a neat reconciliation. The damage done over years of public spats and media saturation runs too deep for a simple family reunion. Harry and Meghan wanted independence. They found it in America, and now they must navigate the awkward reality of returning to a country that has spent years scrutinizing their every move. Keep watching how the palace handles their security and daily movements. That will tell you everything you need to know about where they truly stand.
