As Harry and Meghan officially launch their arrival back in the UK, many are asking what could be in store for the pair – and who with. From British legends to ex-pat stars, we take a look at who the Sussexes’ might be inviting over for afternoon tea
Words: Amy Dowrick | Images: Getty
While we can’t seem to escape news of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes’ return to Britain in the last month, we have finally been graced with an official taster of what’s in store for the family.
As seen on Meghan’s Instagram account just over a week ago, the Duchess of Sussex shared a video hinting to the family’s safe arrival with exclusive footage of countryside walks, wellies-in-puddles and a roaring fireplace, as she marked the occasion with “❤️🇬🇧”
And after the pair were forced to say goodbye to some of their closest friends in California, among them Suits co-stars, close friends and the likes of Oprah, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry, will their transition to greyer skies look just as doom and gloom in their social circle?
We take a look at who we can expect the pair to rely on as they embark on this new chapter in the land of tea and biscuits.
British celebrities who support Harry and Meghan
Elton John and David Furnish
Owing to his close friendship with Harry’s mother, the late Princess Diana, Elton John has publicly adopted a guardian-like role in the Duke of Sussexes’ life in the last 29 years since her death.
Both Elton and his husband, Dave Furnish, have frequently offered their properties to the Sussexes for a safe place to stay, whether for family holidays, a bit of privacy or respite from the tabloids.
The Rocket Man star has also consistently publicly shown his support for the pair in the face of scathing headlines. After the Sussexes were criticised for using a private jet to stay at their home in Nice in 2023, Elton released a statement in their defence, saying, “Prince Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, was one of my dearest friends. I feel a profound sense of obligation to protect Harry and his family from the unnecessary press intrusion that contributed to Diana’s untimely death.”
And as the pair have now returned to the home country, will we see Elton and David, who own a multi-million-pound property in London’s Holland Park, back in their corner?
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
Whilst they aren’t British, American stars Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are currently living in the UK – and have been close to the Sussexes since they first moved out to the US back in 2020.
After moving into the same Montecito neighbourhood, Meghan and Harry reportedly became close with Ellen and Portia – and it was revealed in 2023 that the Sussexes even attended Ellen and Portia’s star-studded vow renewal ceremony that year.
While the Sussexes’ recent move was not too far behind Ellen and Portia’s relocation to the UK themselves – having permanently moved across the pond after Donald Trump was re-elected as president in 2024 – Meghan has now recently been spotted meeting up with the couple in Oxfordshire.
According to photographs obtained by Page Six, the Duchess was seen chatting with Ellen and Portia at the Three Horseshoes pub near Burford, Oxfordshire. Might we expect to see a few more pints and roast dinners on the cards as pub weather draws closer?
Adele
Although not currently living on her home turf, British singer Adele reportedly struck up a friendship with Meghan and Harry after the couple moved into a rental home near her in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.
A source told The Mirror: “Adele loves the neighbourhood. She also recommended her four-year-old son Angelo’s pre-school and discreet places to take Archie, where they won’t be bombarded by fans.”
Will we see a friendship blossom when the star flies back for home visits?
Which UK celebrities won’t be supporting the Sussexes return?
While many will be wanting to add Meghan and Harry to their invite list, there’s one famous couple that might not be so eager to welcome the pair back.
New details of the rift between the Duchess of Sussex and Victoria Beckham have recently emerged, and after being thick as thieves just a few years ago, things are now rather different between the Sussexes and the Beckhams – two of the most famous families in the world.
Victoria and Meghan were once good friends, with the Duchess often seen wearing VB-designed outfits and the Beckhams also famously attending the Sussexes’ wedding back in May 2018.
But, ultimately, the friendship was to be short-lived, and sources have claimed that the former friends’ fall-out most likely ‘boils down to jealousy’ – one even breaking rank by saying, ‘I believe it was envy that caused the fall-out.’
According to royal biographer Duncan Larcombe, “sources now tell me that things between the couples are at an ‘all-time low’.”
“One insider blamed the success of recent projects carried out by the Beckhams, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arguably had far fewer positive headlines and, indeed, less success.”
So, whether it’s the double standards for scathing tabloids or perhaps how Harry and Meghan reached out to the Beckhams’ son Brooklyn over their shared family-feud, Victoria’s fury isn’t seeming to be shaken off anytime soon.
