Key Takeaways
- President Donald Trump expressed pleasure that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have left the United States and returned to the United Kingdom, saying he was “very happy about it.”
- Trump accused the couple of disrespecting the late Queen Elizabeth II and stated that, if he were a member of the royal family, he would not have welcomed them back.
- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex retain their California residence but are currently on an extended stay in the UK, having enrolled their children in a British school and settled in a private home outside London.
- Harry and Meghan remain private, non‑working royals; there is no “half‑in, half‑out” arrangement akin to what Queen Elizabeth II rejected when they stepped back in 2020.
- Trump’s criticism of the Sussexes is long‑standing, rooted in Meghan’s 2016 remarks calling him “divisive” and “misogynistic,” and amplified after their Oprah interview, Netflix projects, and Harry’s memoir Spare.
- Despite his critiques, Trump repeatedly highlighted his personal affinity for the British monarchy, citing a strong relationship with Queen Elizabeth II during his 2019 state visit and describing King Charles III as a “wonderful man” and friend following the monarch’s 2024 cancer diagnosis.
- Trump’s fascination with the royals is often linked to his Scottish‑born mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, who was an ardent admirer of the monarchy and Queen Elizabeth’s reign.
Trump’s Oval Office Remarks on the Sussexes’ Return
During an Oval Office briefing on Wednesday, President Donald Trump told reporters he was “very happy about it” when asked how he felt about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to leave the United States and return to the United Kingdom. He characterized the move as a positive development, emphasizing his personal satisfaction with the couple’s relocation across the Atlantic. The remarks marked the first time Trump publicly voiced his approval of the Sussexes’ trans‑Atlantic shift, framing it as a vindication of his long‑standing concerns about their conduct toward the British royal family.
Trump’s Allegation of Disrespect Toward Queen Elizabeth II
Trump went on to accuse Harry and Meghan of treating the late Queen Elizabeth II with “great disrespect.” He asserted that the couple’s actions—particularly their high‑profile interviews and media projects—had shown a lack of reverence for the monarch whom he claimed to have known well. By framing their departure as a correction of that perceived slight, Trump positioned himself as a defender of royal decorum, suggesting that the Sussexes’ exit from the U.S. was a welcome realignment of allegiance.
Trump’s Hypothetical Stance on Re‑Admitting the Sussexes
When pressed further, Trump declared that, if he were a member of the royal family, he would not have taken Harry and Meghan back. This hypothetical statement underscored his belief that the couple’s behavior warranted exclusion from the inner circle of the monarchy. It also reinforced his narrative that the Sussexes had overstepped bounds that a true royal insider would not tolerate, thereby justifying his satisfaction with their current distance from the institution.
Details of Harry and Meghan’s Current Living Arrangement
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are retaining their California home while undertaking an extended stay in the United Kingdom. Earlier in August, it was announced that the family had decided to relocate to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after six years residing in the U.S. Multiple outlets reported that the children have been enrolled in a British school beginning this autumn, and the couple intends to live at a private residence outside London rather than in any official royal accommodation.
Status of the Sussexes as Private, Non‑Working Royals
Despite their return to UK soil, Harry and Meghan continue to operate as private individuals and non‑working royals. There is no indication of a “half‑in, half‑out” arrangement similar to the one Queen Elizabeth II rejected when they stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020. Consequently, they are not resuming official public engagements or representing the monarchy in any formal capacity, maintaining the independent lifestyle they established after their departure from royal service.
Trump’s Long‑Running Criticism of the Sussexes
Trump’s Wednesday remarks echo a pattern of criticism that has persisted for years. He has repeatedly denounced the couple’s treatment of the royal family following their explosive Oprah Winfrey interview, their Netflix documentary series, and Prince Harry’s memoir Spare. In each instance, Trump framed the Sussexes’ public revelations as affronts to royal tradition and as evidence of a lack of deference toward the institution he claims to admire.
Early Tensions: Meghan’s 2016 Comments and Trump’s 2019 Reply
The friction between Trump and Meghan Markle predates her marriage into the royal family. In 2016, the then‑actress described Trump as “divisive” and “misogynistic.” When questioned about those remarks during a 2019 interview, Trump responded, “I didn’t know that she was nasty.” This exchange set the tone for a strained relationship that later intensified as Meghan became a duchess and a prominent public figure on the world stage.
Trump’s Affection for Queen Elizabeth II
Contrasting his criticism of the Sussexes, Trump has frequently touted a strong personal rapport with Queen Elizabeth II. He insists that they got along well during his 2019 state visit to the UK and disputes media reports suggesting the monarch disliked him. By emphasizing this bond, Trump seeks to portray himself as a respected interlocutor of the British crown, countering narratives of discord between his administration and the monarchy.
Trump’s Positive Views of King Charles III
Trump’s admiration extends to King Charles III, whom he has praised repeatedly, especially following the monarch’s cancer diagnosis in 2024. He called Charles a “wonderful man,” described him as a friend, and lauded him publicly during various meetings and state events. These affirmations serve to reinforce Trump’s self‑image as an ally of the current royal leadership, despite his criticisms of the Sussexes’ perceived missteps.
The Influence of Trump’s Scottish‑Born Mother
Analysts often trace Trump’s fascination with the British monarchy to his familial background. He has repeatedly noted that his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, was an enthusiastic follower of the royal family and Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. This maternal influence, Trump suggests, nurtured his lifelong interest in royal affairs and shaped his favorable disposition toward the institution, even as he publicly critiques certain members of the family.
Outreach for Comment from Buckingham Palace and Archewell
In the aftermath of Trump’s statements, Newsweek attempted to solicit responses from both Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes’ Archewell Philanthropy. The outlets reached out via email outside of typical UK working hours, seeking official reactions to the president’s remarks. As of the time of writing, no substantive replies had been received, leaving the public to interpret Trump’s comments within the broader context of ongoing trans‑Atlantic dialogues about celebrity, royalty, and political commentary.