Published: 10 March 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online — Royal News
After years of distance from the Royal Family, Meghan Markle is reportedly eager to return to Britain alongside Prince Harry this summer. The couple are said to be planning their first joint appearance in the UK in years, with Birmingham tipped as the venue to launch the countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games.
But royal commentators warn Meghan may have misjudged the mood of the nation. While she is said to feel “energised” and vindicated by recent scandals surrounding disgraced royals such as Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor, polls show her popularity in Britain remains at rock bottom. According to a January 2026 YouGov survey, just 19% of Britons hold a positive view of Meghan, while 66% view her negatively. Harry fares only slightly better, with 31% positive ratings and 60% negative.
Friends of Meghan claim she believes the downfall of Andrew and Sarah Ferguson has created space for her and Harry to re‑enter royal life. But experts argue this is a fundamental misjudgement. The monarchy under Prince William is expected to remain slimmed down, focusing on a handful of working royals such as Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Royal insiders say there is little appetite to expand the roster, and even less to welcome back the Sussexes, whose “half‑in, half‑out” proposal was firmly rejected by the late Queen Elizabeth II. As one commentator noted, “You cannot commercially trade on royal status while still serving the Crown.”
The couple’s brand of progressive activism — once riding high on themes of social justice and wellness — has lost traction in Britain. Critics argue their messaging now feels hollow against the backdrop of global crises such as war, poverty, and migration.
Observers point out that Meghan’s return could be met not with warm crowds but with scepticism, even hostility. “If Harry and Meghan think the streets of Birmingham will be lined with well‑wishers after they turned their back on the nation, they are stark raving bonkers,” one royal analyst told the Express.
Despite the risks, Meghan appears determined to orchestrate a “high‑powered” return. Supporters say she feels vindicated by recent royal scandals and believes her presence alongside Harry could reset the narrative. Yet the numbers suggest otherwise: their approval ratings remain lower than those of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who themselves have faced criticism for past associations with Jeffrey Epstein.
For the Sussexes, the summer trip may prove less a triumphant homecoming than a stark reminder of how far their standing has fallen in Britain.




























































































