Trump delivers brutal verdict on Harry and Meghan's royal reunion: 'I would not take them back'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has never been shy about his views on Britain’s royal family, and he offered a particularly blunt assessment when asked about Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK on Wednesday, September 2.

The president said he was “happy” about their move, but his support for the reunion stopped there.

Trump went on to criticize the couple’s treatment of the royal family and made clear that he would have handled their departure very differently.

Trump takes aim at Harry and Meghan

Asked about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during a question-and-answer session after a press conference with travel executives, Trump first made clear that he had no objection to the couple being back in Britain.

“I’m happy about it,” he said. But Trump quickly shifted to the reason he had previously been critical of the couple. “I was not a fan,” the president said.

He then recalled his own relationship with the royal family.

Trump said he had known King Charles for years, first as Prince Charles and later as king, and spoke warmly about his relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Trump described Charles as a “great, great guy” before accusing Harry and Meghan of having “treated the royal family with great disrespect.”

“I didn’t like it,” he said.

Trump then said, “If I were the royal family, I would not have taken them back.”

Trump has long maintained friendly ties with the British royals, having met Queen Elizabeth II during his 2018 and 2019 visits to Britain. 

His relationship with Charles also predates the king’s accession.

In April 2026, Trump welcomed Charles and Queen Camilla to Washington for a four-day state visit that included an Oval Office meeting and White House state dinner.

Harry and Meghan return to Britain

Harry and Meghan’s return is more substantial than a short family visit.

After six years in California, they are establishing a renewed base in Britain with their children Archie and Lilibet, who have enrolled at British schools.

The family plans to live privately rather than at a royal residence, while retaining their California and Portugal properties.

The move, however, does not restore their former place within the monarchy.

Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020 and are expected to remain private members of the family. 

Harry has recently spoken about wanting to repair relations with his father, King Charles, but his relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains strained.

Their return therefore leaves the Sussexes physically closer to the royal family without putting them back into official royal life.