Prince Harry plotting big UK comeback: report

The Duke of Sussex is reportedly seeking advice from former aides as he attempts to end his US exile.

IN LONDON

Prince Harry is in talks with former aides in Britain as he plots a comeback in his home country, according to a new report.

Sources have told the Mail on Sunday that the Duke of Sussex is seeking advice from people “from his old life” as a working royal as he works toward ending his “US exile” and attempting to “rehabilitate” his image.

It appears to be just the latest move in his bid to start a new chapter and reconcile with his family – and, according to The Mail, could potentially see him “initiate a partial return to the royal fold”.

“Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates,” said the source.

“He is clearly reaching out thinking, ‘I need to do something different because what I’m doing is clearly not working.’ In short, he is rethinking the way he operates.”

Harry and Meghan recently returned from a four-day tour of Colombia. Picture: Raul Arboleda/AFP

The insider stressed that Harry, along with Meghan Markle, “are not seeking a permanent return” to the UK.

It’s reported that at least one of those approached by Harry is a trusted confidante “from the old school”, and that the duke is said to be open to ideas, including a return to “very low-key royal duties”.

That would only be made possible, the insider added, “if certain members of the family could find it in themselves to allow it.”

The publication also reports that the couple has parted ways with another American employee. PR adviser, Christine Weil Schirmer joined the Sussexes in 2020 as head of communications, but made a quiet exit late last year.

The couple quit royal duties in 2020. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

The new development comes after it emerged that Harry made a brief visit to the UK recently in order to attend a funeral service for his uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, with his estranged brother also among the guests.

It’s understood the brothers did not speak at the event.

Earlier this month, the UK Times reported that Harry was secretly frustrated by aspects of his life in California and is having trouble moving on from the past.

Harry accepts the Pat Tillman Award onstage during the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

A friend of the Duke of Sussex’s claimed to the publication that they were one of a few who get “the odd WhatsApp from him”, and that he comes across as “angry”.

“He’s an angry boy. Things haven’t turned out how he wanted,” the insider claimed.

“I think he misses being over here [in Britain] desperately and wants to be admired more. Anyone who knows him feels he’d rather be top of the pops here with everyone loving him, as they do with William and Kate.”

Another source the publication claimed had known Harry since his teenage years added that he was missing the English lifestyle, more than four years after he moved to the US with wife Meghan.

“He has ended up isolated from his family and most of his old mates, in an environment where your friendships are not like the ones you forged as a young man,” the insider said.

“He used to love a night out in the pub and hanging out in the country with friends.”

A former adviser to Harry also told the Times that “all [Harry] does” is “spend time looking back”.

“If only he could wrench his neck around and look forwards,” the source added.

Originally published as Prince Harry plotting big UK comeback: report