The Sussexes have been having ‘intense’ talks over their UK return
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As 2025 draws to a close, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are rumoured to be ending the year on a frosty note. Insiders tell Closer that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been clashing over a potential return to the UK, which is said to be causing tension.
‘Their marriage is under strain — not because of a lack of love, but because of opposing fears,’ a source says. ‘Harry is begging to come home. He talks about the UK constantly. He knows his father is ill and he feels time slipping away. For him, 2026 feels urgent.
‘But Meghan associates the UK with unhappiness, fear and anxiety. She is equally determined not to be rushed back into a country she associates with pain, scrutiny and unfinished business. She doesn’t want to put herself back in that place and feels cross that it’s back on the table.’
Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, left the UK in 2020, after stepping down from being working royals, and now live in Montecito, California, with their son Archie, six, and daughter Lilibet, four. The couple have fuelled speculation that they are living increasingly separate lives, with LA-born Meghan immersing herself in Hollywood again as she focuses on Netflix projects and the expansion of her ‘As Ever’ lifestyle brand. Harry, meanwhile, has appeared less focused, after stepping back from his Sentebale charity in March amid reports of a fallout with its staff.
harry, kate and william in happier times ©Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
And after reuniting with his father over tea at Clarence House in September, the prince — whose new home in Portugal with Meghan is expected to be their European base — is intent on prioritising his family relations, with hope growing after his security level is set to be reviewed by the Home Office. A decision is expected in January.
‘The UK question is now constantly looming over their relationship, and it’s not something Meghan wants to keep batting away. She doesn’t even want it as a topic of conversation,’ the insider tells Closer.
‘She knows next year they could win their battle for a security arrangement, which will remove the single biggest practical barrier to Harry returning to Britain with his family. She worries that if the security issue is resolved, the expectation will be that she has no reason left to say no. And she’s not sure she’s ready for that – emotionally or psychologically.’
The source adds, ‘Intense discussions about the UK have become more frequent, especially over Christmas and into the new year.’
meghan with her mother ©STEVE PARSONS/AFP via Getty Images
Harry said earlier this year that he would ‘love a reconciliation with his family’ and King Charles and his sister-in-law Kate’s cancer battles. Earlier this month Charles, 77, gave an update about his condition, sharing that his treatment will be significantly ‘reduced’ and move ‘into a precautionary phase’ next year after he ‘responded exceptionally well to treatment’.
‘I am able to share with you the good news that, thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to “doctors’ orders”, my schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year,’ the monarch said.
The insider tells says, ‘Harry’s longing has intensified as he reflects on how little time he has spent with his father in recent years. Meghan, meanwhile, fears reopening wounds she worked hard to close. Harry sees coming back as healing. It’s getting to the point now where this could cause a divergence because Harry is keen to visit the UK more often and build bridges with his family, whether that means Meghan will join him or not.
They explain, ‘These disagreements are deeply emotional. Harry’s heartbreak is real. He believes his children deserve to know where he comes from – and to know their grandfather. Meghan’s trying to protect them but also protect herself. She’s very emotional and in tune with her feelings.’
harry has made it no secret that he wants to spend more time in the uk ©Cameron Smith/Getty Images
The Sussexes have faced speculation over the state of their marriage and divorce rumours in the past, with reports that she has had a ‘conversation’ with a publishing house about a ‘post-divorce’ book. Meghan recently quashed the claims in a magazine interview, saying, ‘No one in the world loves me more than him, so I know he’s always going to make sure that he has my back. He loves me so boldly, fully.’
But their differing views about a UK return and reconciling with their respective fathers is said to have caused strain between them. Meghan ‘reached out’ to her ailing father Thomas, who recently had his leg amputated in ‘life or death’ surgery, but reportedly has no plans to meet him.
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‘The Sussex children have little to no relationship with either of their grandfathers – King Charles or Thomas Markle – and that reality is weighing heavily on both parents,’ the insider says. ‘For Harry, that reality is devastating. He knows there may not be many more chances to sit with his father without lawyers, aides or agendas hovering nearby. He worries that Archie and Lilibet may grow up knowing their grandfather only through photographs and stories.’
The source adds, ‘If Meghan can’t control the narrative, that’s when things start to spiral. It’s a delicate balancing act. That stance has left Harry torn between loyalty to his wife and the pull of his past.’
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