Donald Trump doesn’t mince words about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. When asked about the couple packing up their California life and heading back to Britain, his response was blunt. He’s glad they're gone.
"I am happy about it. I was not a fan," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wrapped up a six-year American stint, moving back to the UK at the end of August. Their exit marks the end of a turbulent chapter that started when they stepped down from official royal duties back in 2020. But Trump’s beef with the couple isn't just about geography. It’s personal, political, and tied closely to his views on the British monarchy.
The Royal Disrespect Factor
Trump has never hidden his disdain for how the couple handled their split from the palace. He points straight to tradition and respect.
"I thought they treated the royal family with great disrespect. I didn’t like it," Trump said, noting his ongoing relationship with King Charles III, who continues cancer treatment, and his warm words for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Meghan bore the brunt of his criticism during the Oval Office remarks. "I didn’t like the way she acted. I thought she was terribly disrespectful," he added.
If you look back at the timeline, the tension goes both ways. Back in April, Prince Harry made a high-profile, surprise trip to Ukraine. During that visit, Harry publicly called on the US and Trump to step up and honor international treaty obligations regarding the war with Russia. Trump brushed off the critique quickly, firing back that Harry wasn't speaking for the UK and quipping that he probably represented British sentiment better than the prince did.
Real Estate and Reality TV Drama
Let's be honest about what happened in California. Harry and Meghan chased media empires, landing major production deals and dropping bombshell interviews. Yet, public opinion shifted wildly. They traded royal protocol for celebrity culture, but the American honeymoon didn't last forever.
People often forget the legal friction too. Earlier this year, Trump brushed aside calls to deport Harry over past drug admissions mentioned in the prince's memoir, Spare. Trump claimed he had "no interest" in kicking Harry out, mostly because he already had enough headaches dealing with Meghan's public image.
Now that the family is back on British soil, what changes? Insiders note they plan to settle outside London. Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are slated to begin school in the UK. Harry has repeatedly stated he wants his children to experience his home country, even if the family dynamics remain ice-cold.
Trump offered a final warning for the palace if they thought about rolling out the red carpet. "If I were the royal family, I would not have taken them back."
Old wounds are open again in London, and American politicians are happy to watch from the sidelines. Stop waiting for a royal reconciliation. It's not happening. Check your local headlines and watch how the British press handles their permanent homecoming.
