Donald Trump never minces words about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. When asked about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle packing up their California life to return to Britain, the president didn't hide his satisfaction. He told reporters straight up that he's happy they left.
He's not a fan. Never has been.
This latest chapter closes a six-year American experiment that started when Harry and Meghan stepped down from official royal duties in 2020. They traded Windsor for Montecito, chased multi-million dollar streaming deals, and regularly made headlines for clashing with the British press. Now, they are back across the pond. And Washington is offering a very distinct reaction to the exit.
The Royal Disrespect Factor
Trump's beef with the couple isn't just about politics. It comes down to protocol and loyalty. During his Oval Office remarks, he pointed directly to how the duo handled the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles.
"I thought they treated the royal family with great disrespect," Trump said. "I didn't like it."
He singled out Meghan Markle, echoing sentiments he has voiced for years. His admiration for the late Queen runs deep—stemming all the way back to watching her 1953 coronation on television as a child. Because of that deep-seated reverence for the British monarchy's traditions, Harry's public airing of family grievances on Oprah and in his memoir felt entirely unforgivable to Trump's inner circle.
Trump even dropped a sharp warning for the Windsor family regarding the homecoming. "If I were the royal family, I would not have taken them back," he remarked.
The Long War Over Visas and Public Opinion
Let's not forget the heavy baggage left behind in the United States. For years, conservative think tanks like the Heritage Foundation waged a fierce legal battle against the Department of Homeland Security. They wanted Harry's immigration records pried open. The core argument? The prince openly copped to past recreational drug use in his book Spare, which typically serves as an automatic red flag on U.S. visa applications.
Critics argued Harry received special treatment from the Biden administration to secure residency. Yet, Trump took a surprisingly hands-off approach to the deportation chatter during his campaign and early second term. He famously quipped that he wouldn't deport Harry because the prince had "enough problems with his wife".
Now that they've chosen to relocate voluntarily, the visa headache is largely solved for Washington. Nobody has to kick them out. They packed their own bags.
What Comes Next for the Exiled Royals
The Sussexes are currently plotting their next moves from British soil, aiming for a lower profile outside of London with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Yet, dropping back into the UK isn't a simple reset button. They remain non-working royals. The firm "half-in, half-out" arrangement rejected by the late Queen still stands.
King Charles reportedly wants to spend personal time with his grandchildren, but institutional doors remain firmly shut. Security details, public funding, and British taxpayer costs are already igniting fierce media debates all over again.
Trump gets the final laugh on this one. The couple that sought privacy in California found themselves locked in endless media cycles, political scrutiny, and polarizing public opinion. By heading home, they trade American sunshine for British grey skies, while Washington watches the departure with a shrug and a smile.
