Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left their royal duties behind in 2020, relocating to California with their then-one-year-old son, Prince Archie.

Since settling into their luxurious Montecito home, the couple welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet, in 2021. While Meghan has reportedly made it clear she has no intentions of returning to the UK, she’s allegedly concerned that Archie may develop a fascination with his royal heritage.

Concerns Over Charles’ Lavish Gifts

Royal commentator Tom Quinn told The Mirror that Meghan is uneasy about the influence King Charles may have on Archie—particularly through his generous gift-giving.

“Archie loves the idea that his grandad lives in a castle,” Quinn explained. “Meghan was worried that a magnificent shepherd’s hut or some other extravagant gift will only deepen Archie’s growing interest in his royal roots.”

He also shared that Meghan encouraged Harry to request a more modest gift for their son, hoping to temper Archie’s royal fantasies.

According to Quinn, Archie is “desperate” to travel to the UK with his father. However, both Harry and Meghan have allegedly turned down his repeated requests. The last time King Charles saw Archie in person was in 2022, when the Sussexes returned to the UK for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Charles Hoping to Be a Doting Grandfather

Quinn revealed that King Charles is eager to show affection and take on a more involved role as a grandparent—something he feels he missed out on with his own sons. “He wants to be an indulgent grandfather, partly because he feels he neglected William and Harry during their childhoods,”

Quinn said. “Many of Archie’s books are about kings, princesses, and castles, and he knows enough to realize his grandfather actually lives in one.”

In a separate interview, Quinn claimed that Charles fears his gifts might be misunderstood by Harry and Meghan. He also mentioned that the King finds video calls with Archie challenging due to strained relations.

“Charles’ aides say he feels uncomfortable with video calls but does them just to stay connected,” Quinn said. “If he calls Harry directly, he can sometimes speak briefly with Archie without needing to speak to Meghan—a situation he reportedly dreads.”

A Desire for a Family Reunion

Royal insiders have echoed Charles’ yearning to reconnect with his grandchildren. One source told Page Six, “I can see Charles desperately wanting to see the children. Balmoral would be the perfect, peaceful place for a reunion. If he extends the invitation, it’s hard to imagine Harry and Meghan turning it down.”

Despite Prince Harry’s public appeals for healing the rift, the relationship between the Sussexes and the royal family remains distant. According to reports, King Charles has shown little interest in repairing the relationship, feeling that Harry has severely betrayed his trust through his public statements and actions.