Entertainment

Royal Experts Say William and Kate Show Restraint as Harry and Meghan Relocate to UK

By Janelle Ash, Stephanie Nolasco

Royal commentators say Prince William and Kate Middleton are deliberately avoiding any public reaction to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the United Kingdom, choosing instead to observe quietly from a distance. A source told People on Sept. 1 that the Prince and Princess of Wales are not making a fuss over the Sussexes' move. "They are watching this space. It's private — they don't feel the need to say anything or demonstrate anything outwardly," the source said. Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube's "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," told Fox News Digital that relocating to Britain will not automatically repair Harry and Meghan's relationship with the royal family. "Trust is earned through behavior over time, not by changing your zip code," Schofield said, adding that William and Kate "don't appear to feel any urgency whatsoever" to respond to the move. She noted that if Harry wants to rebuild his relationship with his brother, William will likely expect consistent behavior rather than symbolic gestures. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the couple's decision to return, especially while Harry reportedly still seeks an apology from the family, will not earn them favor with the royals. "William and Kate are playing it cool publicly, but obviously they are exasperated," he said. Fitzwilliams pointed out that William played polo, with Kate in attendance, on the same day the Sussexes visited King Charles and Queen Camilla without disclosing their relocation plans in advance. Author Christopher Andersen, who wrote "Kate!", said the timing of the Sussexes' return is particularly inconvenient, coinciding with Prince George's move to Eton College. He noted that while Eton is close to the family's Windsor home, it remains a major milestone, drawing comparisons to William's own enrollment there in 1995. Andersen said the Sussexes' presence would likely prove to be an unwelcome distraction despite their agreement to keep a low profile initially. He added that William and Kate remain suspicious of the Sussexes' motives and are unlikely to reconcile quickly. According to Andersen, King Charles faces a difficult balancing act: welcoming Harry back could be seen as a betrayal by William, especially following revelations in Harry's memoir "Spare," while public opinion in Britain remains largely unfavorable toward the Sussexes. He cited polling showing Meghan's approval rating in the UK at 22%, with nearly 80% of the public reportedly wanting the couple to remain in the United States. Andersen also noted that the issue of royal security for Archie and Lilibet, who are attending school in the Cotswolds, adds further pressure on the King. Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner predicted ongoing tension between Meghan and Kate over public perception, suggesting a rivalry for public favor may intensify. Turner said William had previously been comfortable with Harry living in the U.S. because it allowed him to shape his own public image without competition. He suggested that disagreements between William and King Charles over royal strategy have caused friction, and that further behind-the-scenes criticism of Meghan's potential career ambitions in Britain may continue.