Six years after leaving Britain for California, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are beginning a new chapter in the UK – but insiders claim their fresh start comes with a series of non-negotiable rules designed to protect their eight-year marriage
Pics Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are beginning their new life in Britain with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
The Sussexes are expected to establish a private home outside London, with speculation mounting that they could settle in the Cotswolds – an area Harry reportedly knows well from his teenage years.
After six years in their sprawling Montecito mansion, the Duke is said to be looking forward to returning to the English countryside and enjoying everything London has to offer.
But while Harry is apparently energised by the move, insiders claim Meghan is returning to Britain with considerably more apprehension.
Harry hopes the move will revive their marriage
Harry reportedly believes their change of surroundings will benefit the whole family – and inject some much-needed excitement into his marriage.
A source told Heat: ‘Harry is so energised by this move. He’s saying it’s exactly what they need as a family and as a couple. It’s no secret he’s felt increasingly isolated and claustrophobic in Montecito, which for all its beauty and comfort is a pretty sleepy and stuffy environment for younger couples who have so many interests further afield.’
The insider adds: ‘Harry misses the energy and buzz of London and can’t wait to enjoy date nights in the city as well as romantic trips with Meghan around the UK. He’s been complaining for a while that things have gotten stale in Southern California; quite frankly, he’s felt bored and out of his comfort zone, and that’s caused a lot of tension and resentment that’s bled into the marriage.’
Revisiting Soho House, where Harry and Meghan reportedly had their first date a decade ago, could provide one romantic trip down memory lane.
However, after years of reports suggesting Meghan was reluctant to return to the UK, Harry may need more than candlelit dinners and cocktails to ease his wife’s concerns.
Meghan’s ‘sacrifice’ for Harry
Meghan is leaving behind her mother, Doria Ragland, as well as many of her closest friends and the carefully established life she created in California.
According to an insider, the Duchess has agreed to the move despite feeling deeply anxious about returning to the country where she previously faced intense public and media scrutiny.
‘She’s going along with it but with something of a heavy heart and a lot of anxiety about what’s ahead of them,’ the insider says.
‘There’s no question Meghan will miss her friends and loved ones terribly, especially her mother. It’s a sacrifice to be basing herself 6,000 miles outside of her comfort zone and back in the lion’s den, where she believes she’s going to be scrutinised and dissected at every turn.’
The rules designed to protect their marriage
Ahead of the upheaval, Meghan and Harry are said to have discussed how they will protect their relationship from the pressure surrounding their return.
The couple are reportedly determined to prove wrong those who believe that living in Britain could drive them apart.
An insider told Heat: ‘They know a lot of people believe this will break them so that’s a huge motivator for them to prove everyone wrong. They both insist that their marriage can withstand anything because they have such a deep bond, but that doesn’t mean they don’t put in work to keep it that way.’
‘They are very aware that this is going to be challenging, it’s an enormous upheaval and will put them under a huge amount of pressure, so they’re being proactive and talking about what can be done ahead of time to make sure the stress of this all doesn’t tear them apart.’
One of their biggest priorities will reportedly be setting aside regular time for each other, no matter how demanding their work and family commitments become.
‘They’ve agreed that they need to schedule date nights so that they will have private time to reconnect. They’re both going to be extremely busy, so it really does need to go in the calendar or it simply won’t happen.’
Meghan expects to remain Harry’s priority
Meghan is also said to have made it clear that she expects Harry to continue putting her first as he reconnects with old friends and members of the Royal Family.
The Duchess reportedly needs to feel that her husband is publicly and privately supporting her as she adjusts to life in Britain again.
‘She needs Harry to keep protecting and sticking up for her, and if he doesn’t do that to Meghan’s satisfaction then the marriage could go downhill fast.’
Another important rule is that the family should avoid spending lengthy periods apart.
If Meghan travels for a new acting role or another work project, she reportedly wants Harry and their children to accompany her whenever possible.
‘They want to avoid being apart for extended stretches, so if Meghan goes on location at all for acting work, Harry and the kids will go with her. No matter how hectic things get, protecting their marriage and making sure it survives this test is key,’ the insider says.
Could Meghan’s career pull her back to America?
Questions remain over how Meghan will divide her time between Britain and the US, where she has professional commitments connected to her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
Reports had suggested that the former Suits star could appear in the third series of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix drama The Gentlemen, which has largely been filmed in the Cotswolds.
However, former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown subsequently alleged that ‘the backlash in the UK’ had been ‘so intense’ that the proposed role had become ‘untenable’.
Although those claims have not been officially confirmed, royal author Tom Sykes predicted that Meghan could continue spending significant amounts of time in America.
‘Harry and the kids are moving back to Britain. Meghan is going to come and go. Mainly, go,’ he summarised.
Harry wants Meghan to embrace British life
Harry is reportedly willing to support his wife’s work and her occasional trips to America. However, he is also said to expect Meghan to make an effort with the people in his life and fully embrace their new surroundings.
‘Harry’s promised to do that but he also wants to see Meghan make a big effort when she’s in the UK – especially with his friends and family. The last thing he needs is for her to be hiding away or glued to her work 24/7 instead of embracing this new environment in a positive and proactive fashion,’ the insider told Heat.
‘He understands that she’ll want to make occasional trips back to the States but that can’t become a habit – she needs to throw herself into this and help them revert to the same couple they were when they fell in love all those years ago. Unless that happens it’ll be an uphill struggle, and deep down they both know that whether they admit it or not.’
