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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry relocated to the UK with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet for an extended stay. They are expected to set up a private home outside London while holding on to their Montecito, California, home.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital, “The nightmare for the Palace is that they can’t be controlled. Diary clashes will probably mean royal engagements are overshadowed by what the Sussexes choose to do and what they are, or are not, asked to by the Palace.”

Kinsey Schofield also said, “They are private citizens and no longer working on behalf of the King, so Buckingham Palace isn’t approving Meghan’s interviews, appearances, Instagram posts or commercial projects.” 

She continued, “But Harry is still the King’s son, and Meghan is still the Duchess of Sussex, so there is an inevitable association with the monarchy. That’s the complicated part. They can operate independently while still benefiting from an enormous amount of public interest that exists because of Harry’s DNA.”

Markle’s return will be nothing like her old royal life. Back then, Palace rules and press staff shaped what she did. Now, the Suits actress has her own career. Still, the Palace has ways to set limits. “It can decide how much proximity they have to working royals, royal residences, and official events,” Schofield said.

However, Markle’s independence also comes with less royal protection. Moreover, Harry and Markle can choose their own dates for interviews, appearances, and business projects. Schofield believes that “there are likely to be numerous clashes” as “royal diaries” are often planned far in advance. 

“If Meghan were repeatedly scheduling appearances or announcements to coincide with major royal engagements, people would notice,” she said. It echoes the same debate Queen Elizabeth II faced in 2020. Harry and Markle wanted a hybrid arrangement, stepping back from royal duties. 

The late Queen rejected the “half-in, half-out” idea. Schofield noted, “Meghan can enjoy enormous interest because she married into the Royal Family without having to behave or work like a royal.” She continued, “But there is another side to that bargain.”

“She doesn’t have the institution behind her anymore either. There is no royal communications operation required to defend her, no royal security, and no guaranteed place at major royal occasions. A lot of the perks are gone.” 

The couple discussed the family tensions in their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. They also addressed the royal relationships in their 2022 Netflix series, Harry & Meghan. Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare also included the private family conversations. 

Schofield said, “That history doesn’t disappear simply because they’re living in Britain again.” British broadcaster Helena Chard said, “Formalities need to be drawn up, put in place and made clear to all. These will essentially be the ‘dos and don’ts’ formalities.”

Meanwhile, PEOPLE reported that Harry and Markle’s decision to relocate to the U.K. was “taken as a family.” They also want Archie and Lilibet to grow up knowing more about Harry’s British roots. The kids had already spent time in the UK earlier this summer.

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