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Kate Middleton reportedly didn’t see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest move to Britain coming. A source told Closer Online that the Princess of Wales is in “massive shock” after that. She is also worried that old family tensions could flare up again.

Harry and Markle landed in Birmingham on August 26 after flying privately from California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Sussexes are now settling in Britain for an “extended stay” at a private, non-royal home. According to People, King Charles knew about their U.K. move before it was publicly announced.

Prince William and Middleton, however, were completely blindsided by the news. “She can’t see how it’s all going to work, and the news has left her reeling,” the insider said. “This is Kate’s worst nightmare and a massive shock, but her initial instinct was to think about the stability of the family and the monarchy, rather than her personal emotions,” they added. 

The source also claimed that Middleton knows she can’t completely avoid Harry and Markle if they stay in Britain. For her, the concern goes beyond an awkward family meeting. Harry and Markle came with years of “unresolved” issues. 

Things have been tense between Harry, Markle, and the royal family since they quit royal duties in January 2020. At that time, they said that they planned to “step back” as “senior” members of the Royal Family and become more financially independent. 

The couple then built a new life in North America, away from the Palace. But the family fallout didn’t stay behind closed doors for long. In March 2021, the two sat down with Oprah Winfrey for an interview. In it, they spoke about life inside the royal family and made serious allegations against the monarchy. 

Following that, Buckingham Palace responded with a statement. “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” they said. “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately,” the statement added. 

Still, two years later, in January 2023, Harry released his memoir Spare. He went deep into his troubled relationships with Charles and William. He made his position even clearer later while promoting the memoir. When asked by Anderson Cooper on CBS’ 60 Minutes if he could return as a full-time royal, Harry replied, “No. I can’t see that happening.”

According to Closer Online, Middleton still remembers just how rough those years were. The insider claimed that period was “painful and destabilizing” for the family. Now, the source said, Middleton fears the same cycle could begin again with Harry and Markle back in Britain.

“Kate’s worried about the Sussexes’ return. So much has happened, and trust has been lost. How do you rebuild a relationship when you’re no longer confident that what happens privately will remain private?” the source noted. Recent reports have shown that Harry did build some contact with Charles.

He first flew to the U.K. in 2024 after Charles’ cancer diagnosis announcement. The next year, the two met for tea at Clarence House. Then, this year, Charles hosted Harry, Markle, Archie, and Lilibet. However, Harry’s relationship with William reportedly remains strained. 

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