Prince Harry is reportedly expressing regret over his role in the years-long estrangement from the British royal family, according to royal author Duncan Larcombe, who claimed the Duke of Sussex wishes "he'd done things differently." The remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of Harry's security concerns and his reluctance to return to the U.K.
"Harry is a sensitive soul and always wore his heart on his sleeve, so whether he'd admit it publicly or not, I'm sure he's full of regrets and wishes he'd done things differently," Larcombe told OK! Magazine. He added that the convergence of Trooping the Colour and Father's Day likely stirred memories of "the happy relationships he once had with his brother and dad," and suggested Harry "would love to be able to rebuild those."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who moved to Montecito, California, in 2020 after stepping down as senior working royals, have rarely returned to the U.K. Larcombe said their separation has been compounded by the removal of state-funded police protection, which was rescinded after they left their royal roles. Harry later lost a legal appeal challenging that decision.
"By saying he can't bring them here because of the court ruling, Harry has nailed his colors to the mast," Larcombe noted, referencing the Duke's previous comments that he "couldn't see a world" in which he and Meghan Markle could return to the U.K. with their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
Security remains a central issue. Larcombe said that without official protection, "Harry and Meghan are left with two or three bodyguards who are pretty blind to what the potential threats are." He described threats from "lunatics and radical protestors" as a serious deterrent to their return. "At big royal events, the security you actually see is the tip of the iceberg," he added. "There are a lot of undercover officers and agents working, too."
Larcombe suggested that Markle is particularly reluctant to return to the U.K. "They'd have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to realize just how much criticism they've had for their betrayals and truth bombs," he said.
Despite the fraught atmosphere, Prince Harry is reportedly planning to extend an invitation to King Charles and Prince William to attend the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. The formal invites, which are expected to follow preliminary outreach this month, could represent a rare opportunity for reconciliation. The event is scheduled to begin July 12, 2027, and conclude on July 17, coinciding with Queen Camilla's 80th birthday.
