The Duke of Sussex has recently spoken candidly about his connection to the United Kingdom and whether a return with his family might ever be on the cards.
At 40, Prince Harry remains entangled in ongoing legal disputes with the British press, particularly over their treatment of his wife, Meghan Markle, 43. He has long criticized the media’s disregard for his family’s privacy and safety, but a recent blow came when he lost his appeal to secure automatic police protection during visits to the U.K.
Prince Harry admitted feeling “let down” and “devastated” by the court’s decision, which denied him publicly funded security for his family while in Britain. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have made their home in Montecito, California.
Following the court’s refusal—which Harry described as “unjustified and inferior treatment”—he revealed that he would not be taking further legal action, stating the ruling had shown “there was no way to win this through the courts.”
He also pointed a finger at the royal family, suggesting their involvement may have swayed the outcome. “I can only come to the U.K. safely if I am invited, and there is a lot of control and ability in my father’s hands,” he said. “Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him, not by intervening, but by stepping aside and allowing the experts to do what is necessary.”
In an interview with the BBC on May 2, 2025, Harry was asked whether he could see himself bringing Meghan and their children back to the U.K., particularly given the lack of security.
“I can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point,” he admitted.
Despite the challenges, Harry insisted that his love for his country has not wavered. He expressed sorrow that his children, Archie and Lilibet, may never experience the country he still holds dear.
“The things that they’re going to miss is, well, everything,” he shared. “I love my country. I always have done. Despite what some people in that country have done.”
He also opened up about feeling homesick and spoke emotionally about how his children may never fully know the land he once called home. “I miss the U.K., I miss parts of the U.K., of course I do,” he said. “I think that it’s really quite sad that I won’t be able to show my children my homeland.”
Though he has voiced frustration with his family, Prince Harry emphasized that he still hopes to rebuild those relationships. Estranged from his father and other members of the royal family, he has only returned to the U.K. briefly, with tensions still present. Now, he says, it’s time to move past the conflict—at least from his side.
“There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has, he won’t speak to me because of this security stuff. It would be nice to reconcile,” he said.