Francesca Rudkin: Can Harry and Meghan bring something useful to a modern monarchy?

Author: Francesca Rudkin,
Publish Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2026, 10:36am

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Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Photo / Getty

There’s something appealing about Harry and Meghan returning home.

Sure, Harry once said he couldn’t imagine bringing his wife and children back to Britain. Given everything that happened you could hardly blame him. But people change, circumstances change, and children change everything.

Archie and Lilibet are now seven and five, and Harry has spoken previously about how sad it was that he couldn’t show them his and their homeland. Now they’re apparently heading to British schools.

You can understand why. America may have provided some respite, but Harry has also said that Britain will always be home. His royal lineage connects him to Britain in a unique way, and it must be hard for his children to understand this without experiencing it. There is something lovely about wanting your children to know the place, people and family you came from.

So far, the British reaction has been a mixture of curiosity, scepticism and the sort of weary fascination usually reserved for a long running family argument. Probably the most shocking thing about this announcement is that it was a surprise - it’s hard to keep a secret these days.

Some newspapers have treated the prospect of Harry and Meghan spending more time in Britain as a possible thaw in family relations, while others remain convinced their return will bring continued drama. Either way, the British media will be waiting for them like a Labrador at a barbecue. The same press Harry has fought in court and accused of intrusion will happily make a healthy living from following his family around. There is no doubt the relationship will remain tense.

The public mood seems less dramatic. Many people, like me, are happy to see them come back, provided they don’t expect the country to blithely ignore everything that’s led to this. There is room for a family reconciliation, but it will not be achieved through press releases, carefully timed television appearances, or long-form interviews.

And that’s why it also makes sense for Meghan to return to her roots. She’s in discussions to join the third season of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix’s hit series The Gentlemen. It’s welcome news, not because there’s anything wrong with making jam, but because Meghan has always had a career beyond being Harry’s wife. Getting back in front of a camera, in a properly scripted role and under someone else’s direction, could give her a stronger sense of purpose than yet another product launch. It may also help separate her public identity from the endless royal arguments.

If Harry is finding a way back to Britain and Meghan is finding her way back to acting, perhaps both are finally moving towards lives that are less about explaining the past and more about doing something in the present.

And yes, I know many can’t forgive Harry for being remarkably open about his family. Some call it disloyal. I’m not so sure. There’s something admirable about telling the truth, however uncomfortable, rather than pretending everything is fine while serious scandals swirl around family members like Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. At least Harry and Meghan were prepared to go it alone, and not entitled enough to think the firm would support them.

Perhaps even Harry and Meghan can bring something useful to a modern monarchy; a touch of honesty, informality and a willingness to challenge the institution.

The question is whether Charles can welcome that, and whether William can tolerate it. The King may see a son coming home. The future King may see a rival court arriving.

Either way, this could be less a royal disaster than a second chance.

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