Why Meghan Markle may Skip Prince Harry’s ‘Olive Branch’ UK trip

Prince Harry is understood to be gearing up for a trip across the pond to mend broken relationships with the royal family after seemingly being blindsided by the ailing conditions of his father, King Charles III, and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.

However, his wife Meghan Markle may not be joining him on this diplomatic endeavor, with a source citing a packed schedule and concerns about public backlash for the former “Suits” actress.

Prince Harry’s “olive branch” trip is also expected to face stiff opposition from his elder brother, Prince William, who has reportedly “banned” him from returning to the royal fold.

Harry will reportedly return to the UK for an extended period in the coming months, as he wants to “prioritize mending his broken relationship with his family.”

However, he’ll be without the company of Meghan, who is said to be tied down with work amid the launch of her lifestyle brand.

Meghan last visited the UK in September 2022 during events for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and she’s said to be wary of returning for fear of being “heckled again in public” after she and Harry were booed at the late Queen’s platinum jubilee.

“Harry is very anxious to go home and see his dad, catch up with his friends for his birthday in September, and also pay a visit to his aunt, Princess Anne,” a source told Closer magazine. “But the situation hasn’t changed for Meghan.”

The insider continued, “She’s respectful that Harry has to go back to his homeland for practical and emotional reasons, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to go with him. She’s got way too much on her plate with the brand and her new cooking show, as well as looking after the children. The last thing she needs is the stress of going back to the UK, where she fears she’d be heckled again in public, which she finds really painful.”

Harry’s potential time away from Meghan could reportedly strain their relationship. Royal author Tom Quinn previously told The Mirror that there’s a “growing rift” between them because Meghan is facing a tough reality check and has been increasingly concerned “that her life is not going in the direction she had planned.”

How long the Sussexes intend to stay apart remains unknown, with the insider telling Closer that “there’s talk of a month or” away from each other. However, the couple are said to be “fully committed” to their marriage and are prepared to “endure time apart.”

“England is important to Harry. He needs to prove he’s not turning his back on his country and family, and he and Meghan have agreed that the best decision is to endure time apart to do what’s best for them, even though she dreads the separation,” the source explained.

“No doubt it’s going to be a test for his marriage, but both he and Meghan are confident they can survive it just fine,” they added.

Ahead of Harry’s “olive branch trip” back home, he’s expected to check into a hotel like he has done on several occasions when he visited this year.

After stepping down from their roles as working royals in 2020 and making several explosive allegations against the royal family, Harry and Meghan were evicted from their Frogmore Cottage home.

With Frogmore Cottage out of the picture, the Sussexes no longer had a proper UK residence.

As a result, Harry had to stay in a hotel when he visited King Charles following his cancer diagnosis and during the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Harry and Meghan were understood to be searching for a UK home, but a source recently told Express that those plans have been shelved for now due to safety concerns for their family as the duke continues to sort out his legal issues with the Home Office.

The insider said Harry “really does want to spend more time in the UK but doesn’t feel comfortable doing that until the security issues have been ironed out.”

“He and Meghan planned on looking for a part-time home near Windsor this year and hoped that the appeals process would be heard before the end of July so that they could properly start their search. However, the court process seems to be taking its time,” they added.

Despite Harry’s rumored efforts to reconcile with his family, his elder brother is reportedly not ready to close the chapter on their broken relationship.

William and Harry have not been on speaking terms in years, and the future king is understood to be unwilling to “lay down the hatchet” just yet after assuming the “disciplinarian” role in the royal family.

“I have been saying this for months now – William pulled up the drawbridge and is not about to let it down for Harry anytime soon,” royal expert Christopher Andersen told Fox News Digital.

“William not only expects loyalty from his brother on a very personal level, but he commands respect as the heir to the throne,” Andersen added. “That’s just the kind of person the Prince of Wales is. He has always been brought up to believe, as his father did before him, that if the system is to work at all, he comes first after the king – simple as that.”