How Prince William and Princess Catherine Are Reportedly Reacting to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s UK Return

The Sussexes' anticipated return has reignited longstanding questions about their place within the royal fold. Insiders suggest the timing may be no coincidence, hinting at deeper motives behind the family's decision.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are back in the headlines after reports surfaced that the couple plans to relocate to the UK in the coming weeks, more than six years after stepping down from royal duties in 2020 and settling in the United States.

The couple is said to be moving with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, both of whom have reportedly been enrolled in new schools in Britain. The relocation is expected to happen later this month, and King Charles has reportedly already been informed.

Since the news broke, royal commentators have speculated about how Prince William and Princess Catherine might feel about the Sussexes' return. King Charles is said to be genuinely glad for the chance to see more of his family, both privately and personally.

Still, he has reportedly made clear that Harry and Meghan's status as non-working royals and private citizens, in line with their own past wishes, won't change. The Prince and Princess of Wales have also been briefed on the move.

Not everyone believes William and Catherine share the King's enthusiasm, however. "All I can think of is: here we go again," said Christopher Andersen, author of "Brothers and Wives." "For starters, I can only imagine that William and Kate are tearing their hair out."

He continued, "They have so much on their plate as it is trying to shore up the monarchy and propel it into the future; they don't really need to cope with having Harry and Megan on their proverbial doorstep."

Andersen added, "By returning to the U.K., the Sussexes will inevitably suck up all the oxygen in the room. They will generate countless tabloid stories and take the focus away from other members of the Royal family, which is a major no-no.

"King Charles and Queen Camilla, in particular, don't like to be upstaged, and the same goes for William."

According to reports, Harry and Meghan intend to make the UK their main base for the foreseeable future, though whether the move is permanent remains undecided.

The couple will reportedly hold onto their California residence as well as their vacation home in Portugal in the meantime. Details about where exactly the Sussexes will live, along with their children's new schools, have been kept under wraps.

"There are the obvious privacy concerns. If Archie and Lilibet are actually enrolled in school in the UK, then that is where Harry and Meghan will be based full-time, period," Andersen said.

"We all know how that turned out the last time. Meghan was miserable trying to cope with British sensibilities and England's often savage tabloid press," he continued. "As parents, Harry and Macon have made it clear that they don't even want their children's faces shown on a Christmas card."

Andersen pointed out that the public still has little sense of what Archie and Lilibet actually look like — a stark contrast to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, whose faces have been familiar since infancy.

He questioned how Harry and Meghan intend to keep their kids out of view of paparazzi staking out hidden spots, predicting it would prove to be a logistical nightmare.

Andersen further speculated that the couple's decision might stem from a desire to reclaim some form of royal standing. "It is possible that this is Harry and Meghan's way of forcing the royal family's hand," he suggested.

"With Harry and Meghan right under his nose and getting constant coverage in the British press, the King may be compelled to find a way to welcome Harry back into the fold," he added. "Of course, that doesn't mean that William is OK with his brother having any Royal role at all. There is still bitterness there. All is not forgiven."