Key Takeaways
- Donald Trump expressed satisfaction that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have returned to the United Kingdom, stating he is “happy” about their move.
- Trump reiterated his long‑standing dislike for the Sussexes, claiming he is “not a fan” and that they treated the Royal Family with “great disrespect.”
- He highlighted his personal rapport with Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, saying he knew them well and believed they were disrespected by Harry and Meghan.
- Trump said he would not have welcomed the couple back into the royal family if he were a member, and he criticized Meghan’s behavior toward the monarchy.
- This commentary continues a pattern of public criticism that began in 2020 over security costs, extended through interviews in 2021 and 2022, and resurfaced in 2024 regarding Harry’s visa status after his memoir Spare disclosed recreational drug use.
- Harry and Meghan arrived in the UK last month with their two children, Archie (7) and Lili (5), who have been enrolled in British schools for the upcoming term.
- The Sussexes will remain non‑working royals, focusing on private life rather than official duties.
Trump’s Recent Remarks on the Sussexes’ Return
Speaking to reporters at the White House this evening, Donald Trump said he is “happy” that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have left the United States and returned to the United Kingdom. He framed the development as a positive outcome, emphasizing his personal relief at seeing the couple back on British soil. Trump’s tone was upbeat, suggesting he views their relocation as a resolution to a long‑standing point of contention between the former U.S. president and the royal household.
Trump’s Personal Dislike for Harry and Meghan
Despite his expressed happiness about their return, Trump was clear that he remains “not a fan” of the Sussexes. He dismissed any notion of affection or approval, stating outright that he does not support their actions or choices. This candid admission underscores the depth of his criticism, which has persisted for several years and shows no signs of softening even as the couple re‑establishes themselves in the UK.
Alleged Disrespect Toward the Royal Family
Trump accused Harry and Meghan of treating the Royal Family with “great disrespect,” singling out Meghan’s conduct as particularly objectionable. He claimed that her behavior toward both Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III was unacceptable and that it caused offense within the institution. By framing their actions as a breach of royal protocol and decorum, Trump sought to justify his negative viewpoint and to portray the Sussexes as undermining the monarchy’s dignity.
Trump’s Relationship with Queen Elizabeth and King Charles
In an effort to lend weight to his criticism, Trump highlighted his own “really good” relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth II and the current King Charles III. He said he had come to know both monarchs well over the years, describing them as “great, great guys.” This personal connection, he implied, gives him a credible perspective on what constitutes appropriate behavior toward the throne and why he believes the Sussexes fell short of those standards.
Trump’s Hypothetical Stance on Re‑admitting the Sussexes
Going further, Trump asserted that, if he were a member of the Royal Family, he “would not have taken them back.” He suggested that the monarchy should have exercised stricter standards when considering the couple’s re‑integration, implying that their return would have been a mistake from his viewpoint. This hypothetical statement serves to reinforce his belief that the Sussexes’ actions warrant exclusion rather than reconciliation.
History of Public Criticism: Security Costs (2020)
Trump’s critique of Harry and Meghan is not new; it dates back to early 2020 when the couple announced their move to the United States. At that time, Trump took to social media, declaring that “They must pay!” in reference to the expectation that the U.S. government would cover their security expenses. His insistence that the Sussexes bear their own costs set the tone for a series of public rebukes that followed.
Post‑Election Remarks (2021)
After losing the 2020 presidential election, Trump continued to voice his disapproval in various interviews. In a 2021 conversation with Nigel Farage, he claimed that Harry’s marriage had “ruined his relationship with his family” and that it “hurts the Queen.” These remarks linked the Sussexes’ personal decisions to broader familial strife within the royal household, amplifying the narrative that their choices were destabilizing.
Comments to Piers Morgan (2022)
In 2022, Trump appeared on Piers Morgan’s show, where he described Harry as being “whipped like no person I think I’ve ever seen.” He went on to speculate that Meghan would likely leave Harry “when she decides that she likes some other guy better.” This sensational commentary further illustrated Trump’s tendency to frame the Sussexes’ relationship in disparaging, personal terms rather than focusing on institutional concerns.
Visa Controversy and Drug Admission (2024)
The most recent flashpoint occurred in 2024 after Harry admitted in his memoir Spare to having used recreational drugs. Trump responded by saying he would not take any legal action against Harry regarding his visa status, but he added that he had “enough problems with his wife.” This statement tied the visa debate directly to Meghan, reinforcing Trump’s longstanding criticism of her influence on Harry and, by extension, on the royal family.
The Sussexes’ Return to the UK and Family Life
Despite the ongoing criticism, Harry and Meghan have physically returned to the United Kingdom, arriving last month with their two children, Archie (age seven) and Lili (age five). The couple has enrolled the children in British schools, preparing them to start the new academic term. This move signals a renewed commitment to raising their family within the UK’s educational and cultural environment, even as they retain their status as non‑working royals.
Current Status: Non‑Working Royals
Although back in the UK, Harry and Meghan will continue to serve as non‑working royals, meaning they will not undertake official duties on behalf of the monarchy. Their focus appears to be on private pursuits, philanthropic endeavors, and family life. This arrangement allows them to maintain a connection to the institution while avoiding the formal responsibilities that have historically been associated with senior royal members.
Overall Assessment of Trump’s Commentary
Donald Trump’s recent remarks encapsulate a pattern of personal disapproval mixed with strategic references to his own relationships with past and present monarchs. By framing his happiness about the Sussexes’ return as a relief from perceived disrespect, he attempts to align his critique with a broader narrative of protecting royal propriety. Nevertheless, the consistency of his criticism—spanning security costs, personal interviews, and visa debates—suggests that his commentary is less about policy and more about reinforcing a long‑standing public feud with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Whether this rhetoric will influence public opinion or the Sussexes’ own trajectory remains uncertain, but it undoubtedly adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the couple’s transatlantic life.