Are Meghan And Harry Really Considering A Family Trip To The UK?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seem to have settled in nicely to a less royal life in Southern California. Yes, they live in the upscale town of Montecito surrounded by movie and television stars who are often the equivalent of American royalty, but they are away from Great Britain and their royal duties, raising their two children — Archie and Lilibet — out of the watchful eye of the British tabloid press. They have even opened up about why they left Harry's family behind, revealing mental health issues that were ignored back home while talking with both Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 (via CNN) and on Harry's own Apple TV+ docuseries, "The Me You Can't See" in May 2021 (via Forbes).

That doesn't mean that Harry wants to completely abandon his family. He's found himself back in England, reuniting with his brother, Prince William, on two somber occasions in 2021. The first was in April for the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Philip, who died at 99 years old, according to The Washington Post. The second visit was in June for the unveiling of his mother Princess Diana's statue to honor what would have been her 60th birthday (via E Online). Both of those trips were solo, as Harry left his wife and children behind in California. Is that all about to change?

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.

Royal expert and author of the book "Harry and Meghan: Life, Loss, and Love" Katie Nicholl told Closer that she thinks it's time that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle mend fences with their families — both of their families. She noted that Meghan only seems close to her mother, Doria Ragland, and is estranged from her father, Thomas Markle.

Nicholl also thinks a family trip is imminent for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for the holidays, and expects Harry and Meghan to travel from the U.S. to England with a toddler and an infant. After all, the family hasn't even met Lilibet Diana, who was named for the queen, as Queen Elizabeth's nickname has been Lilibet since childhood.

"When Harry and Meghan left, they made it clear they didn't want to give up their home in Britain. They still have Frogmore Cottage and their plan was to come back to the U.K.," Nicholl said (via Closer). "Christmas is being looked at as an opportunity. There may be a softening, which could pave the way for a healing of the family rift. It's certainly what the queen wants. Prince Charles would like to see his grandchildren. A meet-up suggests they hope to move on and sort things out."