US President Donald Trump has welcomed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to Britain but criticised their treatment of the royal family, saying he would not have taken them back.

US President Donald Trump has reacted to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to the United Kingdom, saying he is happy about their move but making it clear that he has never been a fan of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump praised his longstanding relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III before criticising Harry and Meghan's decision to step away from royal duties and leave Britain.

“I’m happy about it,” Trump said when asked about their return. He then added that he had not been a fan of the couple and accused them of showing “great disrespect” towards the royal family.

Trump Criticises Sussexes

Trump said he had a close relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth II and described King Charles as a “great, great guy”.

“I was not a fan,” he told reporters while discussing Harry and Meghan.

The US president said he believed the couple had treated the royal family disrespectfully after their decision to step away from official royal duties.

“I didn’t like it,” Trump said, adding that if he had been part of the royal family, he would not have welcomed them back.

His remarks come roughly a week after Harry and Meghan returned to Britain with their two children, marking their first extended move back to the country since leaving in 2020.

Harry And Meghan Return

Harry and Meghan have lived in California since stepping back from royal duties and relocating to the United States.

The couple moved away from Britain six years ago and subsequently built an independent life in California. Their return has generated considerable interest in Britain, particularly over their future residence, security arrangements and relationship with the wider royal family.

The couple have not publicly disclosed the full details of their plans or indicated how long they intend to remain in Britain.

Their return also comes against the backdrop of their continuing status as private citizens rather than working members of the Royal Family.

Trump’s Royal Connection

Trump has long spoken warmly about Britain's monarchy, particularly the late Queen Elizabeth II.

His fascination with the British royal family reportedly dates back to his childhood. He has previously recalled watching Queen Elizabeth's coronation on television in 1953 with his mother, Mary Anne Trump, who was born in Scotland.

Trump has repeatedly praised the late monarch, describing her as an exceptional figure during her long reign.

He also said he had known King Charles for many years, including from the period when Charles was still the Prince of Wales.

Charles Welcomes Couple

King Charles is reportedly interested in spending more time with Harry and Meghan in a personal capacity following their return to Britain.

However, their status remains fundamentally different from that of working members of the Royal Family.

Harry and Meghan relinquished their official royal responsibilities in 2020. They subsequently moved to the US and pursued independent commercial and media projects.

Their decision to return does not mean they are automatically being restored to royal duties.

No Half-In, Half-Out Role

The couple are not expected to regain the proposed “half-in, half-out” arrangement that was discussed after they stepped back from frontline royal responsibilities.

That model was rejected by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who made clear that members of the Royal Family could not combine official royal responsibilities with an independent role outside the institution.

Harry and Meghan subsequently retained their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex but stopped carrying out official duties on behalf of the monarchy.

Their current return to Britain is therefore being viewed as a personal move rather than a restoration of their former royal roles.

Security Questions Remain

One of the biggest unresolved issues surrounding the couple’s return is security.

Harry has previously challenged decisions concerning his security arrangements in Britain after stepping back from royal duties. His concerns have focused on the level of protection available to him and his family during visits to the country.

The question of who will pay for security during their current stay is therefore likely to attract further attention.

British taxpayers could face questions over whether public resources should be used to protect the couple, particularly because Harry and Meghan are no longer working royals.

Royal Future Uncertain

Harry, Meghan and their children are now back in Britain, but several questions remain unanswered about their longer-term plans.

It is unclear whether the family intends to spend significantly more time in the UK, where they would stay permanently or how their relationship with the Royal Family may develop.

Trump’s comments add another layer to the renewed public debate surrounding the Sussexes. While he welcomed their return, his criticism underlined the continuing controversy over the couple’s departure from royal life and their strained relationship with members of the British monarchy.

For now, Harry and Meghan remain private citizens, with their future role in British public life still uncertain.