Prince Harry reportedly gave King Charles only days of notice about plans to relocate to Britain with Meghan Markle and their children, prompting speculation that the Duke of Sussex deliberately kept the decision closely held because of his continuing estrangement from Prince William. Former royal butler Grant Harrold suggested Harry may not have wanted his brother to learn of the move before it became public, though there is no confirmation that this was Harry's motivation.
British media reported on Aug. 19 that Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, plan to return to the U.K. later this month with Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. The family is expected to establish a private, non-royal residence, reportedly near London, while retaining its status outside the ranks of working royals.
The reports said Charles learned of the plans on Aug. 16, despite Harry, Meghan and their children having visited the King at Highgrove the previous month. The relocation reportedly wasn't discussed during that reunion. Neither the move nor the circumstances surrounding when individual members of the royal family learned about it have been independently confirmed by IBTimes UK.
"We know Harry only told his father of his plans to return to the UK on Sunday, which is very short notice - especially as planning must have been going on for a while," Harrold, who worked for Charles at Highgrove from 2004 to 2011, said. "It is shocking that he has not discussed it with his father."
Harrold then offered a possible explanation centered on the breakdown in relations between Harry and William. His comments were speculation rather than an account based on confirmed conversations between the brothers.
"The only reason I can think of why he didn't tell the King was he didn't want Prince William to know," Harrold said. "It's very childish, but I don't think he wants his brother to know what he's up to."
Charles is nevertheless reported to welcome having Harry's family closer, particularly because it would give him more opportunities to see Archie and Lilibet privately. The Daily Telegraph reported that the King was looking forward to spending more time with the Sussex family in a personal capacity.
Harrold said the King could simultaneously be concerned about how the move affects the wider royal family. "I think the King will be happy to have Harry and Meghan back nearby, but he will be worried about what they will do," he said. "He will also be worried about William's reaction. There would have been countless conversations between the two of them in recent days."
No evidence has been presented establishing that those conversations occurred. Harrold characterized Charles as more inclined toward reconciliation than William, whose relationship with Harry has remained severely strained since the Sussexes stepped away from royal duties.
"The King will be trying to be positive and see the good side of it, but William will have a more cynical view," Harrold said. "The King always wants to see the good in people, he always wants to resolve issues, but William isn't as trusting."
Attention intensified over the weekend when Charles, William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and other members of the royal family were seen leaving Balmoral for a grouse shoot near Corgarff Castle. The Daily Mail labeled the gathering a "Sussex summit," though there is no independent confirmation that the traditional summer gathering was organized to discuss Harry and Meghan.
Harrold had previously predicted a particularly hostile reaction from William. "I think Prince William will be furious. I think he would have flipped out when he was told. He will be speaking to other members of the family, trying to build up support... I think William will be disappointed. William will not forgive," he said. Again, the source material provides no confirmation of William's private reaction.
Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 before moving to the U.S., setting off years of public disputes with the royal household. Their reported return wouldn't reverse that arrangement: they are expected to remain private individuals without resuming official royal duties.
