According to multiple sources close to the royal family, King Charles is said to have blacklisted Meghan Markle and forbidden her return to the UK as a working royal. As we all know, Meghan and Prince Harry stepped back from their royal duties in 2020 and moved to California to pursue financial independence. Their relationship with the rest of the royal family, particularly King Charles and Prince William, has been tense ever since. There has been much speculation about a feud behind palace walls. While Harry and Meghan have visited the UK a few times since relocating, sources say Meghan, in particular, feels unwelcome and tensions remain high. They did attend the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year but did not attend many family events.
Now, with King Charles taking the throne after the passing of Queen Elizabeth, things seem to have escalated even further. According to multiple royal insiders, Charles has apparently had enough of Meghan causing drama and is refusing to allow her back as a working member of the royal family. One insider explains, "Charles has made it clear that Meghan's time as a senior working royal is well and truly over. He has told his inner circle that he simply does not want her back in the UK or doing any official engagements here. As far as he's concerned, she and Harry chose their independent lives in America, and that's where they need to remain." This source goes on to say the new king has felt for a long time that Meghan was detrimental to the monarchy and hopes to protect the institution going forward without any further disruptions from her.
The rift between father and son is said to be very deep. Apparently, Charles believes having Harry back doing some duties is fine every now and then, but there's absolutely no room for Meghan at all. Where things get even more heated, though, is that Meghan apparently desperately wants to return to the UK and resume her royal duties. According to other insiders close to the Sussexes, an LA-based friend of Meghan shares, "Meghan is feeling really low and isolated in California right now. She misses her royal life and status in the UK. The glamour, attention, and ability to make a difference through high-profile charitable works really suited her. I think she's now realizing how difficult independent life away from the monarchy really is." This source went on to say that Meghan has been trying to find a way back into royal circles and doing work for the crown. However, these attempts have allegedly been firmly rejected by King Charles each time, which has left Meghan feeling cut off and upset.
Now, it seems she is trying to leverage public sympathy over recent attacks on the royal family to argue for a route back into royal life. The friend revealed, "Meghan has said she feels targeted like Diana did, and she wants the opportunity to return and set the record straight about her time as a royal through high-profile media interviews and televised appearances." But Charles isn't having any of it. These reports are certainly causing controversy and stoking the ongoing royal feud speculation even further. Neither Buckingham Palace nor the Sussexes' press office have publicly commented on the claims so far.
Some royal experts are saying while family tensions are clearly ongoing, a full permanent banishment seems unlikely long-term given Harry is still fifth in line to the throne. But they acknowledge Charles is likely using his power as king for now to distance the monarchy from further drama. One royal biographer stated, "While Harry will always be welcomed back as a senior royal when in the UK, Charles appears determined not to indulge any of Meghan's reported requests to return. She rocketed the royal family into turmoil, and he understandably wants to protect his reign." Only time will tell if this ultimate punishment for Meghan softens over time. Others argue Meghan is being unfairly targeted and scapegoated for normal behavior when adjusting to life as a royal. Defenders say she deserves a chance at redemption like any family member. However, supporters of Charles say he is rightfully putting duty to the crown above personal relationships. One commentator said, "King Charles has a challenging job in modernizing the monarchy whilst upholding ancient traditions. Allowing controversial figures like Meghan back risks undermining both Harry and the institution. For now, protecting his reign has to be the priority over mending fences with difficult relatives."
