MEGHAN Markle may “never come back to the country”, according to the royal author.
Phil Dampier told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show that the Duchess of Sussex, 42, thinks she is “unpopular” in the UK.
The royal author said that Meghan and Harry have had the opportunity to bring their kids, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, over to the UK - but have declined to do so.
Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson, Phil shared: “He had opportunity to recently, didn't he, on his way to the Invictus Games event and Nigeria, Meghan didn’t want to know.”
During Prince Harry’s recent trip to the UK, he failed to meet up with dad King Charles and brother Prince William - and Meghan didn’t leave the airport.
Phil continued: “That’s twice now that she's just stopped off at the airport at Heathrow, I think in the lounge there.
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“She clearly thinks that she's unpopular in this country.
“I don't think she wants to come back to this country.
“It wouldn't surprise me if she never came back to this country to be honest.
“And I think that's where we are, it's very, very sad.”
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This follows the Duchess of Sussex’s popularity taking a significant hit with a recent poll unveiling she's not that popular among Brits.
YouGov data found Kate to be the most popular royal with 76 per cent of people viewing her positively, which is an increase of six per cent since January.
Prince William is the second most popular royal with a 73 per cent approval rating, Princess Anne was third (71 per cent), with King Charles coming in fourth (63 per cent).
Prince Harry (31 per cent) and Meghan Markle (26 per cent) came below of the list, with only Prince Andrew (six per cent) below them in the table.
This follows the Sussexes being booed by crowds in 2022 at Westminster Abbey during the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 and have since relocated to California.
Since leaving royal duties behind four years ago, the couple have made a number of accusations against the Royal Family in their Netflix docuseries.
Meanwhile, in Prince Harry’s bombshell Spare memoir, he made a number of claims, including how William allegedly branded Meghan "rude" and "difficult" during a row at his then residence on the grounds of Kensington Palace, Nottingham Cottage.
Harry and William haven't been seen together in years after their rift.
Phil, who is the author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan in their own words, said Prince Harry may have some regrets about leaving behind royal life and his family.
Megxit timeline
- November 2016 - Harry formally reveals he is in a relationship with Suits actress Meghan Markle.
- September 2017 - Meghan tells Vanity Fair the couple are in love and happy together.
- September 2017 - The couple make their first public appearance together holding hands at the Invictus Games in Toronto.
- November 2017 - Prince Charles issues a statement revealing Harry and Meghan are engaged.
- May 2018 - Harry and Meghan tie the knot, becoming Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
- October 2018 - The couple announce they are expecting their first child while on their first overseas tour in Australia.
- March 2019 - Harry and Meghan set up their own household, splitting their joint operation with Prince William and Kate.
- May 2019 - Meghan gives birth to a baby boy named Archie.
- October 2019 - Harry reveals his rift with his brother William in a bombshell documentary.
- January 2020 - The couple stun the Queen by announcing plans to quit senior roles and settle in North America. After ten days of talks at Sandringham, it's agreed the couple will no longer be working royals and will give up their "Royal Highness" titles.
- March 2020 - Harry and Meghan carry out their last official engagement and move to California.
- September 2020 - Netflix announces a huge deal with the couple.
- February 2021 - Buckingham Palace announces the couple's split as working members of the monarchy is permanent and they will lose their royal patronages.
- March 2021 - The palace says it is "very concerned" about allegations of bullying made by former staff of Harry and Meghan, launching a probe.
- March 2021 - Meghan tells Oprah Winfrey Archie wasn’t made a prince after “concerns and conversations” about “how dark” his skin would be when he was born. She claims Kate "hurt her feelings" and made her cry before her wedding. Harry says Charles has stopped taking his calls and he has been "cut off" financially.
- January 2023 - Harry publishes his tell-all memoir Spare, launching scathing attacks on William, Kate and Camilla. He says he and William once got into a physical fight over Meghan.
- April 2023 - Harry has a "heart-to-heart" talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London.
- September 2023 - Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
- February 2024 - Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside. They meet for half an hour before Harry flies home. He does not meet William.
He added: “There must be some moments in the middle of the night where Harry's lying there thinking to himself, has this really been worth it?
“Is there something I could have done differently?”
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter Lilibet is turning three today but has barely met her UK family, including her grandfather.
The royal expert said the birthday celebrations are tinged with an “underlying sadness” due to the “rift” that divides the family.