Princess Diana would understand Prince Harry’s decision to return to the UK

Princess Diana would likely have understood Prince Harry’s decision to return to the UK after six years in the United States, according to royal commentator Jennie Bond.

Harry and Meghan Markle have returned to Britain with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, marking a major change after the couple moved to California in 2020. The family is expected to spend an extended period in the UK, while their children begin school there. They will live in a private residence and are not returning as working royals. (Reuters⁠)

The move has prompted plenty of discussion about what Diana, who died in 1997, might have thought about her younger son’s decision. Speaking to the Mirror, royal correspondent Jennie Bond suggested that Diana would have understood both sides of Harry’s journey.

According to Bond, Diana herself had considered living in the United States after her divorce from then-Prince Charles. Because of that, she may have understood why Harry wanted to build a different life away from the pressures of royal life.

However, Bond also believes Diana might eventually have felt the same pull toward home. She suggested that, as a mother, Diana would primarily have wanted her children to be happy and could have understood Harry’s desire to find peace and independence before eventually reconnecting with Britain. (The News International⁠)

Harry’s relationship with his homeland has remained complicated since he and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles. The couple established a new life in California, but Harry has continued returning to Britain for selected events and legal matters.

Their latest move appears to be about more than royal duties. Reports indicate that Harry has continued to feel a strong connection to Britain, while the couple also wants their children to experience their father’s homeland and British heritage. A source told People that Harry had never completely stopped missing home. (People.com⁠)

The return could also create an opportunity for Harry to rebuild family relationships. His bond with his father, King Charles, has reportedly improved, although his relationship with his older brother, Prince William, remains deeply strained. The brothers have not spoken regularly for years. (InStyle⁠)

Bond believes Diana would have been especially concerned about that continuing rift. She suggested that Diana would not have wanted her sons to remain divided for so long and might have tried to bring them together.

Ultimately, nobody can know exactly how Diana would have reacted to Harry’s choices. But her history suggests she understood the pressures of royal life while also valuing family, independence and emotional happiness.

Harry’s return therefore represents more than a geographical move. After six years away, it could be an opportunity to reconnect with the country he once called home—and perhaps, in time, with the family he left behind.