Could Harry and Meghan Return to the UK?

Prince Harry has been given a British government threat-level assessment designed for U.K. residents, raising questions about whether it could mean a return to the country of his birth.

The Duke of Sussex has been pushing for an assessment by the Risk Management Board (RMB) of the Home Office for five years, but high-ranking officials told the High Court in London that it was unnecessary because his life is mainly based outside Britain.

Now, despite the government beating Harry in court, there has been a surprise about-turn and the prince will get his threat assessment after all, for reasons that are not entirely clear.

A move back to Britain might seem highly unlikely, but intriguingly would explain the sudden decision to give him an RMB assessment.

There are many reasons why Harry and Meghan Markle might not want to return to Britain, from the California sunshine to Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, who lives in Los Angeles. And, of course, their palatial Montecito home, bought for $14 million in 2020.

If they did move to Britain, the first question would be whether they resumed any royal duties, which could only happen on the invitation of King Charles III.

However, the king has been short of working royals recently, meaning a return by Harry and Meghan, if wanted, could help the monarchy reach more charities.

Afua Hagan, a U.K.-based royal commentator, told Newsweek: "I don't think they will move back to Britain. I just don't think it's on their radar. I think they want to have the option to come back and visit family, absolutely.

"I think Harry definitely wants to have those family bonds with his dad and with his brother and for his children to have them with their cousins. And I think Meghan wants that for him as well, but I can't see them taking up any permanent role as working royals within the royal family.

"I can't see them taking up any permanent residence here either, but I think they want the option to come and see family and feel safe."

Another major question for Harry and Meghan would be where to live or stay if they were not moving back permanently, with options ranging from hotels through to the hospitality of friends and family.

That could on the one hand include a room at a royal residence or at Althorp, the estate of Harry's uncle Charles Spencer, who was Princess Diana's brother. It is also where Diana is buried.

The chances of Harry and Meghan actually making a shock return to Britain seem slim. There have, however, been some signs of the prince pulling back a little from his commitment to America.

In the World Series in November, he supported the Toronto Blue Jays over the L.A. Dodgers, though Meghan stuck with the Dodgers.

And he also wrote an essay on his love of Britain in November to mark Remembrance Day: "There is a similar stoic spirit of self-deprecation and humor in Ukrainians, that I recognize more than any other, in us Brits.

"Though currently, I may live in the United States, Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for.

"The banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands—ridiculous as it sounds, these are the things that make us British. I make no apology for it. I love it."

The 647-word piece was titled: "The Bond, The Banter, The Bravery: What it means to be British—By Prince Harry."

U.K. bookmaker Ladbrokes has also cut the betting odds on Harry "rejoining the inner circle" of the royal family next year from 10/1 down to 3/1, citing both the security review and a "flurry of bets."

Nicola McGeady, of Ladbrokes, said: “Rumors are rife that Prince Harry is plotting a return to work and we’ve had no choice but to slash the odds on the duke reporting for royal duty as early as next year.”

Ingrid Seward, author of My Mother and I, told Newsweek one potential game changer could be Harry's feelings about President Donald Trump: "I think it's highly unlikely [he would return] because why would a 40-year-old man want to come and live in this country when he's living the good life in California. It doesn't make sense. The only thing that makes me wonder is Trump."

She pointed to calls from right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation for Trump to revoke Harry's visa over his past use of drugs, which he described in his book Spare.

Harry and Meghan are both known to dislike the president and Harry joined a campaign for UNAIDS in September warning of a projected 4 million HIV and AIDS deaths linked to funding cuts. While the campaign did not name Trump, Newsweek traced the figures back to UNAIDS projections of the impact of Trump cuts to PEPFAR, the U.S. presidents' fund for tackling HIV and AIDS set up by George W. Bush.

Without referencing Trump or PEPFAR, Harry said: "Without urgent action to reverse these crippling funding cuts, 6 million more people will become infected with HIV while 4 million will die from AIDS-related causes within the next four years.”

A spokesperson for Prince Harry told Newsweek: "The film was not explicitly aimed at any one individual; it was more generally about reminding all leaders and those with influence that there is still work to do in the fight against HIV/AIDS."

Then, last week, Harry took a swipe at Trump during a surprise appearance on Stephen Colbert's show. "I heard you elected a king," he said.

That Harry might not relish living through a Trump presidency is not exactly surprising, but if he ever did actually move back to Britain, even part-time, that would be an extraordinary twist in the prince's story.

Do you have a question about Charles and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.