Former US President Donald Trump has expressed his disapproval of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, returning to the United Kingdom. Speaking about the couple’s move, he stated that he was not a fan and believed they had shown “great disrespect” towards the British royal family.
Harry and Meghan, along with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, relocated back to the UK in August after spending six years living in the United States. Reports suggest the family plans to stay in Britain for an “extended period,” with the Cotswolds being tipped as their likely new home.
During a White House interview, Mr Trump described his personal connections with the Queen and King Charles, saying he had a very good relationship with both monarchs over the years. He commented: “I thought they treated the royal family with great disrespect. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the way she acted. I thought she was terribly disrespectful to the Queen, to King Charles.” He added that if he were a member of the royal family, he “would not have taken them back.”
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The Sussexes stepped back from their roles as working members of the royal family six years ago and moved to the US. Since then, they have been vocal critics of aspects of the monarchy. Their decision to return to the UK marks a significant change, though they continue to remain non-working royals.
There remain unresolved questions regarding their security arrangements, including whether UK taxpayers will fund their protection. Prince Harry, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, recently wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood requesting a personal role in decisions regarding his family’s close police protection.
Local officials have been reticent to disclose details; for example, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham referred to the funding of security as a “private matter.”
Prince Harry has previously expressed concerns about the adequacy of security currently provided, citing multiple threats from groups such as the Taliban and al Qaeda since 2007. He has also stated that he faces heightened risks compared to his late mother due to “additional layers of racism and extremism.” Last year, he lost a legal challenge against the Home Office after the level of security provided was altered following his step back from official royal duties.