Full Breakdown
Trump Says He’s “Happy” About Prince Harry and Meghan’s Return to Britain
9/3/2026, 12:38:07 AM
Core Event
On September 2, 2026, President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he was “very happy” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had left the United States and returned to the United Kingdom. He described the couple as “not a fan” and said, “I thought they treated the royal family with great disrespect.” Trump added that, if he were a member of the royal family, he would not have taken them back.
Background & Context
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from senior royal duties in early 2020, a move popularly dubbed “Megxit.” They relocated to Montecito, California, and pursued media projects, a memoir (“Spare”), and philanthropic work. After six years in the United States, the family announced an extended stay in the UK in the summer of 2026, landing at Birmingham Airport and enrolling their children, Archie and Lilibet, in British schools. The couple remains non-working royals and has not resumed official duties.
President Trump has a long-standing public fascination with the British monarchy. He met Queen Elizabeth II during his first term and hosted King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a state visit in April 2026. His comments on September 2, 2026 reflect a continuation of his criticism of the Sussexes, which dates back to 2016 when Meghan called him “divisive” and “misogynistic.”
Official Statements & Responses
Trump’s remarks were delivered during a briefing with U.S. travel executives. He emphasized his personal dislike of the couple’s behavior toward the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, stating that he would not have welcomed them back into the royal fold. No official comment was provided by Buckingham Palace or the Sussexes’ Archewell organization at the time of reporting.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I thought they treated the royal family with great disrespect,” — President Trump
- “I wouldn’t have taken them back,” — President Trump
- “I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the way she acted. I thought she was terribly disrespectful to the Queen and to King Charles. I don’t know. Maybe I’m different. I wouldn’t have taken them back.” — Hardman
Data & Statistics
- Archie, the couple’s son, is 7 years old.
- Lilibet, their daughter, is 5 years old.
- The Sussexes lived in the United States for roughly six years before returning to the United Kingdom.
Timeline
- September 2, 2026 – President Trump comments on the Sussexes’ departure from the United States during an Oval Office briefing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Media outlets have not reported any public response from Prince Harry or Meghan Markle to Trump’s statements. Additionally, Buckingham Palace has not issued an official reply, leaving the couple’s future role within the royal family unclear. The extent to which the Sussexes’ return will affect their private ventures or any potential re-engagement with royal duties remains unconfirmed.
