President Trump on Wednesday weighed in on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relocation from California to Britain, saying he was “happy about it” and reiterating his long-standing criticism of the couple.
“I was not a fan,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, responding to questions about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who recently left the United States after six years in Montecito, California.
The couple, along with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lillibet, landed in the UK late last month, according to multiple media reports. Harry, 41, and Meghan, an actress who grew up in Los Angeles, stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020 and moved to North America amid reported tensions with other members of the royal family.
In a 2022 interview, Harry had described the U.S. as his new home, saying, “Home for me, now, for the time being, is in the States.”
Trump's royal ties and criticism
Trump said he has “a very good relationship” with King Charles III and the late Queen Elizabeth II, calling the king “a great, great guy.” But he was blunt in his assessment of the Sussexes, accusing them of showing “great disrespect” to the royal family.
“I didn’t like the way she acted. I thought she was terribly disrespectful to the queen, to King Charles,” Trump said, referring to Meghan.
The remarks are the latest in a running feud between Trump and Meghan, who during the 2016 presidential campaign called him “divisive” and “misogynistic.” Trump has previously described her comments as “nasty.”
Trump also suggested that, had he been in the royal family’s position, he would not have welcomed the couple back. “Maybe I’m different, I wouldn’t have taken them back,” he said. “If I were in the royal family, I would not have taken them back.”
The president’s comments come as he continues to dominate the political discourse, with his influence on the GOP’s midterm prospects a key focus ahead of the 2026 elections. His remarks also follow a series of high-profile White House engagements with vulnerable Republican lawmakers, underscoring his role as the party’s central figure.
The Sussexes’ return to Britain marks a significant shift for the couple, who had built a new life in the U.S. with their entertainment and charitable ventures. Their departure from the royal fold was accompanied by public disputes and a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, which further strained relations with the monarchy.
Trump’s latest comments are unlikely to heal the rift, as he continues to voice his disapproval of the couple’s conduct. His remarks also touch on broader themes of loyalty and respect that have resonated with his political base, as he prepares for potential future political battles.
