Could Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to the UK lead to a royal reconciliation with King Charles?

So Dot, you know that meme of Harvey Price, Katie Price's son, where he's like, oh what a day, what a day, what a day, what a 24 hours, what a 24 hours, because Harry and Meghan are U-turning and returning to the United Kingdom after six years of Megxit. Welcome to this GBN original special, royal special, with me Cameron Walker and Dorothy Redding. The shock news came with several exclusives from two newspapers, an Australian publication and People magazine in the US, so they certainly covered all the bases didn't they? Yes they did, they got a broadsheet in there, they got a tabloid and they got Australian and American coverage, so everybody heard the news, Meghan and Harry are coming home. Yes and then everybody else was scrambling around trying to confirm it, GB News managed to confirm it pretty much bang on 10 o'clock when this story was released, well done all of us. And yes it is the shock news because of course no one really saw this coming, because Harry and Meghan, it would appear in the US, were having quite a nice life. I think there was always the rumours that Harry wasn't particularly happy or was happier in the UK doing the stuff that he actually knew about, charity engagements with the Invictus Games, supporting veterans, sick children with well child and the rest of it. But Meghan's life is California, Meghan's life is her as ever business, her lifestyle brands, the Netflix show, we don't know if that's being renewed, I don't think it is, but I'm really struggling to see what Meghan's guessing out of this. I actually completely agree, I think like you said Harry and Meghan in the UK, they have status that you can't buy, they're part of the royal family, whereas in the US they were celebrities, but you see celebrities in California all the time, of course California is where Meghan grew up, Harry claimed multiple times that the US was now his home, he was raising his children there, they were going to school. But of course his father is over here, his father has cancer, we know that his cancer treatment has reduced and we know that it's going well, but he obviously wants to spend some more time with his family. But William and Harry have not spoken for several years, I think like you said it's understandable why Harry wants to come back. I don't know what Meghan has going for her here, I mean her brand is actually very California coded, you know flower sprinkles, I don't know who in the UK, where the market for that is, and interestingly you can't buy as ever products in the UK. Yes I think even the yummy mummies of South West London would not be buying flower sprinkles, but also her jam, you can't buy it in the UK, we tried, we tried, you can't get it in the US. I love jam, I'd love to try it as well. Well maybe if she is coming to the UK, we know that she's going to be sticking with as ever, but that brand is going to be still in the US, again tricky for her, but maybe she'll start to bring it over to the UK, but that's the only thing I can think of. My royal source told me that the king's naturally delighted that he's going to be able to spend more time with his grandchildren, she mentioned he's still undergoing cancer treatment, so I suppose that's a good thing. Although the fact he only found out on Sunday, three days before this public announcement, if you can call this an announcement, is quite surprising, because they saw each other at Highgrove two weeks ago, apparently it wasn't mentioned, I do find that hard to believe, but apparently it wasn't mentioned, so do you think this would have blindsided the king, or do you think he would have been actually quite happy about it? Absolutely, absolutely, to enroll children in school, I think we all know with the catchment areas, it's incredibly difficult, a lot of British families are struggling with that. They will be paying, there's not a hope of hell other than going to a state school, I think guarantee you that. But this has had to be in the planning for a very, very, very long time, and to get a property in time for the children's term dates in September, we of course don't know where, they're keeping that private because of security reasons, but you know, British mums at the school gate love to talk, I think we'll find out, you know, but I think yeah, absolutely, King Charles, you would have hoped, would have been told when they saw him in Highgrove House, the first time, you know, he'd seen Archie and Lilibet in four years, the first time he'd seen Meghan in, I think, since 2022, the Catlin Jubilee, yeah, why wouldn't they tell him? Well, I've got a, and maybe not a theory, that's probably the wrong words, but they managed to look at schools and enroll Archie and Lilibet in a school without anybody noticing. They also managed to acquire a property, we think renting to start with rather than buying, and we think in the Cotswolds, but again, without anybody noticing. So their argument that when they left as working members of the royal family, and of course all the tabloid battle since, that they were the subjects of intense media intrusion, well does that actually stack up? Because they clearly could go on holiday to Portugal without paparazzi snapping them all I mean, even the Prince and Princess of Wales had a lot of media attention on what schools they were looking at for Prince George before finally seeing Eton. So, you know, they can't fly under the radar without the tabloids getting involved. They can, and they have made multiple statements, Harry specifically, you know, I can't see a time when I can ever bring my wife and children back to the UK, and all of these things, and Meghan not wanting to go to London over the summer because they didn't get taxpayer funded police security. And suddenly, they're coming back. Honestly, I'm just speechless. I don't, I have absolutely no idea what's happening here. And obviously, from a royal journalist standpoint, I'm excited because this means more appearances. It means, you know, much more to write about much more to talk about. But it is absolutely baffling. Well, I've got a bone to pick with Andy Burnham, our Prime Minister, and that is because he did an interview today with a journalist and he was asked about Harry and Meghan. Let's just have a quick look at what he said. Also news overnight, Meghan and Harry moving back to the UK from California. Is the government going to establish their security and pay for it? Well, this is a matter. It's a matter for Harry and for Meghan. And we wish them well in the move that they're making. A private matter. See, I don't think it is a private matter, their security, because there's two things that are possible scenarios here. The first is that Harry is now satisfied with the level of protection he is getting, which would suggest it's been increased to potentially close protection officers who are armed have access to MI5 protection, MI5 intelligence even, which can potentially cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, a year. Who's going to be paying for that? The British taxpayer. So I would suggest to Mr. Burnham and the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood and others, that it is in the public interest that British taxpayers are paying for non-working royals protection. And the Home Office can give us the same statement for a year and even more for all it likes saying we don't comment on individual security. No one is asking for chapter and verse as to how these two individuals are being protected. But what we are asking for is an indication as to whether their security has been stepped up, which would cost the British taxpayers. Because of course, Harry made the same claim over and over again that he didn't feel safe in the UK without that specific police taxpayer funded security. So you're right. What's changed? If they're pushing the bill for their own security, then absolutely fine. But it's not the level of security that he wants. Like you said, with MI5, MI6, you know, intelligence, all of those things. So it's absolutely baffling. I completely agree. It isn't the public interest. And Andy Burnham should absolutely let us know. Just to confirm or deny. That's all we need. That's all we need. And if, as you alluded to there, the security level hasn't changed, and it is just Harry and Meghan privately funding their private security team, then fine. But then the question is, well, what was the point of suing his majesty's government, Harry, in his majesty's courtroom, putting your father, the king in a really tricky constitutional position, then of course, losing the case, doing an interview with the BBC where you say, I don't know how much longer my father has left to live. Very uncomfortable for Buckingham Palace. He's trying to keep his medical details relatively private. And of course, there's no suggestion that it's anything other than the king's cancer is going in a very positive direction. But also, of course, he said, my father won't speak to me because of a security situation. So was it worth it, Harry? Or have you just simply given up with your security fight? Fair enough if he has and wants to just live a quiet, non-confrontational life. And he's also been in the courtrooms, let us not forget, dragging the British press through the courts endlessly. Recently just lost a huge, huge case against the Daily Mail. Ended up footing not only his own legal bill, but also Baroness Lawrence's legal bill. So Harry has had to put out a lot of money recently. Do you think part of why he wants to come back as well is probably just because it's a cheaper cost of living in the UK than it is in California? Possibly. So we're going to find out on Friday exactly how much Harry has to pay, if anything. That's going to be the rulings kind of being handed down. But I don't know how much it's going to cost him to be in the UK. I mean, the Cotswolds is not exactly cheap, is it? We know they're not going to be staying in a royal residence. So the whole building is going to have to be guarded, as it were. And then, of course, we come to the problem or question, I should say, rather than problem, of Prince William. Now, a lot of people have actually been saying online, and I actually kind of agree with them, that they feel sorry for the of Wales. No matter, you know, all of the noise that has been created by Harry and Meghan, some of them are making, some not so much. But all of that noise, Kensington Palace, William and Catherine have maintained a dignified silence throughout it all. And that shows in the public opinion polls, William and Catherine very much on top, Harry and Meghan at the bottom, apart from, of course, Andrew and Fergie. Absolutely. I think Catherine and William have been so dignified. Like you said, when Spare was released, the allegations that were made in there, you know, William pushed me and knocked me on a dog bowl and it broke, I'm paraphrasing, I can't remember exactly what was said. But, you know, William could have issued a statement after that. But the fact that he didn't, I think the British public disrespect to that, you know, like the late Queen Elizabeth II's mantra was never complain, never explain, just keep your head up and keep moving on. And if anything, it's completely backfired on Prince Harry and Meghan to an extent with everything that she said in the Netflix docuseries. And it's just, you can't go on TV and talk about your family and talk about your in-laws like that and not expect people to have a visceral reaction and say, we don't like this, we don't respect this because we wouldn't do it to our own families. Well, Kensington Palace declining to comment on this situation. They don't really comment on private family matters. However, it's much easier to ignore what they would see as the Harry and Meghan Sussex problem when they live on the other side of the Atlantic. Not so easy to ignore them when they're living 50 miles away from you, for example. So could we be in a situation, particularly come September, when Harry, we know, is scheduled to do a lot of charity events of Welchild and Invictus, if that's clashing with William's stuff, it's okay one week a year. But if that's all the time, that's going to create problems for William and Catherine. Absolutely. So, of course, they're not resuming their roles as working royals. So they're not going to be carrying out engagements on behalf of His Majesty the King, but they can still do their private charitable endeavours. So Prince Harry at the Welchild Awards, for example, which he does every year anyway. But will we see Meghan out and about, you know, going to women's shelters and, you know, things that we know that she's passionate about? Or will she just only be an entrepreneur and continue her as ever brand back and forth from Montecito to the Cotswolds, we're assuming. It's going to be interesting. Also, if they pick the Cotswolds, who lives in the Cotswolds? Princess Anne, the Gatcombe Park Estate in Gloucestershire, in the heart of the Cotswolds. Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips both live on the same estate. There's a lot of family members that you could be tossing into. And Princess Beatrice and Eduardo, they've got a property in the Cotswolds. Yeah. And Jeremy Clarkson as well, who we know famously gets on well with Meghan Markle, or not. Yes, tricky. But also Soho Farmhouse is in the Cotswolds, which, of course, is where Meghan had her hen do, left by the by. Do we think that William and Harry are going to have to speak sooner rather than later? We understand they have not spoken for a number of years, but I think as the King ages, and as we've heard, he is looking forward to spending more time with his grandchildren. Inevitably, there's going to be family events where he wants to invite both his sons and their offspring to. Most notably, possibly, well, the Easter service at Windsor. But then, of course, Christmas at Sandringham, which I think is going to be the big one. Are we going to see William and Harry walking to church together? I think there's that. And there's also the Princess of Wales, every single year in December, holds a Christmas carol concert. Oh, I did not even think of that. At Westminster Abbey. And, you know, yes, at Sandringham, you are correct, non-working members of the royal family like Beatrice and Eugenie go. But at the Christmas carol concert, Freddie Windsor and his wife, Sophie Winkleman, go, you know, that's how minor we're getting. Is that Chester as well? That's getting invited. So can Catherine invite them without inviting her literal brother-in-law and sister-in-law? Do you know what I mean? It's going to get so tricky. But, you know, I love a reconciliation. I love a get-together party. And, you know, I want everybody to get along. So I would hope that one day, you know, but has too much been said? We obviously can't speak for Harry. We can't speak for William. But I think William will at some point have to address the Sussex issue. Because one day he will be king. And will he want this issue carrying on? You know? I think there's certainly a trust issue there. I don't think Harry and Meghan are going to go to the Christmas concert, because it would completely overshadow the entire thing at Westminster Abbey. And it is a very special event. I've been very lucky and managed to go a couple of times. And it is wonderful and very uplifting, just before Christmas. And of course, Harry, and I think for William, actually, he wants a slimmed down monarchy when he becomes king. And I tweeted about this, and I've written it in my now at systemtvnews.com, if you want to have give it a read, forward slash royal. But there was a photograph I was covering, I was at Buckingham Palace to cover the late Queen's 100, what would have been her 100th birthday, and all the working royals were there. And a photograph was taken of them. And it was very stark seeing William and Catherine alongside the King and Queen and all other working members of the royal family. Apart from the Prince and Princess of Wales, nobody else was under the age of 60. That is a problem. Now we know William wants a slimmed down monarchy. But they're looking thinner and thinner on the grounds, particularly as we still have George, Charlotte and Louis going through school. Maybe William's okay with that. But you know, Harry would be a good extra pair of hands. I hate to say it. And I'm sure I'll be told by saying saying this. But will the British Republic accept that or indeed William? I think it's also Yes, I agree. But it's important to remember, as well, the royal family has these in between stages, because after the tragic death of Princess Diana, and before Charles married Camilla, which was in 2005, that was the long gap. And William and Harry was still either at school or in university at that time. It took them years until 2011. When William married Catherine, you know, there's these huge years in between where we didn't actually have these, these glamorous royals, these these younger royals. So I think I think the royal family will continue to thrive. I do believe that. But yes, I think, you know, Princess Anne just turned 76, the hardest working member of the royal family by a long mile. But goodness me, when she's in her 80s, you would hope when you get to your 80s, that you're allowed to start slowing down. And I think maybe Harry will want to take on royal duties. I think he misses that, especially the military side of things. You know, he was literally at an event in Washington yesterday, speaking to American service personnel. So maybe he'll want to I don't think Meghan has much of an interest. But you know, we'll see. Only time Yes, well, let's end by talking about Meghan here, because she I'm really struggling to see what she's going to get out of the UK. Of course, she did a lot of work with the Granville Tower victims when she was still a working member of the royal family. And that was brilliant. And that was good. And you know, a lot of people praised her for that. But then since then, I think it's gonna be very hard for the British public actually to give both Meghan and Harry if they are going to try and weave their way back into charity and public life. Because of the betrayal of the royal family, the trashing of the UK, the racism allegations that they aired on Oprah Winfrey. Now Harry then said in the subsequent interview that no, it was great. We didn't accuse him of racism, we accused him of unconscious bias. But why did it take you three years Harry to correct the record on this and the British public aren't stupid. They're not going to forget this. No, not at all. And that interview made me want to tear my hair out when I watched it. Honestly, I just thought that's that's the definition of gaslighting. Honestly, that is what you said. And so yeah, honestly, only time will tell. But I really hope for reconciliation. I really out of this massive surprise that nobody saw coming who knows we might none of us might see a reconciliation coming as well. And it might just be around the corner. But you know, we had absolutely the two of us had absolutely no idea this was coming last night. We were in the office at quarter to 10. Yes. And we were going, what's this dropping? 15 minutes. It was absolutely massive. So only time will tell. But I really, really do hope that one day, this will all be sorted out. Well, we can only hope and a quick fire round to end. What kind of property in the Cotswolds or elsewhere? Do you think they're going to be living in? Is it going to look like Montecito mansion or something else? I think this because there's two sides of the Cotswolds isn't there? There's the sort of more normal side and there's the side where Ellen DeGeneres lives and reportedly Beyonce and Jay Z have a property. I think anyone who doesn't like Donald Trump has moved to the Cotswolds. It will probably be that side if I had to guess. And I think it will probably I actually think it might look like Beatrice and Eduardo's property, which is like a farmhouse kind of property. I think so. Okay, what about you? It will fit in with Soho farmhouse. I think it's going to be as you say, something that looks exactly like Soho farmhouse. Other private members clubs are available. And the interior, the interiors as well. Yes, it will all be that. It will be that Soho home stuff. And then just finally, predictions, top three predictions for the schools. The schools. That Archie and Lilibeth are going to go to. Well, Ludgrove maybe that's where Harry went. Which is in Berkshire. So if they're living in the Cotswolds, I don't know. Well, maybe they'll be boarding. That is true. I think Prince Harry has always been very, very open about how much he actually loved Ludgrove school, less positive about Eaton. So we can assume Archie won't be going there. Of course, Prince George is due to start there in September, future king. And I think an actual contender could be Bedale school, which is in Hampshire. And that's actually where Princess Margaret's two children went, Lady Sarah Chateau and Viscount Linley. So maybe there. I mean, is there a possibility that they could go to Lambrook? Possibly. But can you imagine? There's no way the Waleses and the Sussexes are avoiding each other if they go to Lambrook. This is where, of course, Louis and Charlotte still attend. Yeah. Are they going to go there? I mean, that would be a story in a heart. That would be incredible. Yeah. And then I feel like we get strongly worded letters from both Team Sussex and Team Wales being like, don't you dare put cameras on those gates. I think also remember back to 2022, Megan sat down for an interview with The Cut, which is an American magazine. And she said, I wouldn't be able to bring my children to a UK school because there'd be about 40 paparazzi outside taking the picture, which isn't how it works. This is a very organised event, which is usually reserved for the future King of England and their siblings. So both Charlotte and George had this on their first day at Thomas's in Battersea and their first day with Louis at Lambrook. It's, you know, the royal rota is there. It's very organised. It's planned well in advance. And it's just that day. It's the first day of term, and then they're never bothered again. That's how it works. And that's it. Well, we look forward to seeing those pictures of George starting eating in a couple of weeks. But this is clearly only the beginning of this story. We'll rumble on. Dorothy, thank you very much for joining me. Let us know what you think in the comments or of course tvnews.com forward slash your say. But for now, goodbye.