As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare to move back to the UK, we look at what this intriguing next chapter might look like for the Duchess14:21, 20 Aug 2026In a move that would have felt unimaginable just a few short years ago, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are leaving their California dream behind and moving back to the UK.‌And experts reckon there's one seasoned member of the Royal Family whom Meghan, 45, should be seeking wisdom from as she embarks on her fresh start.‌In January 2020, the glittering halls of Buckingham Palace were left quaking as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step down as working members of the British Royal Family and to seek independence on their own terms‌The years that followed carried bombshell after bombshell, including a tell-all Oprah interview, a hit Netflix docuseries, and, of course, Harry's explosive memoir Spare, which made no secret of the painful rift at the heart of the House of Windsor.Now a new chapter begins, and royal watchers will no doubt be curious as to what Meghan does next. But while their return will undoubtedly spark conversation in palaces and bungalows alike, rebuilding a reputation likely won't happen overnight.'Cath Kidston' potential‌It's believed Meghan will continue at the helm of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from this side of the pond. Inspired by foodie Meghan's love of hosting, the consumer goods company sells everything from jams and teas to scented candles and edible flower sprinkles.This could well be an exciting time professionally for the actress turned duchess, with PR guru Andy Barr noting that, for Meghan, the UK represents the "second most lucrative career market" outside of the US.Remarking upon the UK's reputation as a leader in the luxury goods market, surpassed only by nations such as America, Dubai, and China, Andy, who is Head of Brand Communications at Season One Communications, noted that Meghan's "Middle England brand" could indeed do very well on British shores.‌Andy told The Mirror: "The WI brigade love her kind of content, and that's exactly who she appeals to. She feels very Cath Kidston, Emma Bridgewater. You know, the very sort of Middle England brand level that is aspiring."‌Predicting what sort of commercial collaborations we could be seeing from the mum-of-two, Andy anticipates that the likes of John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, both of which "fit perfectly with her brand", will be waiting to see how British consumers respond to the Sussexes once they touch down in England.He believes, however, that a reputation repair campaign will first need to get underway before the couple begins "testing the water with commercial collaborations".Royal profile-boost‌It's understood that the couple will not be returning as working royals or in a half-in, half-out capacity and have instead secured a private, non-royal residence in Britain. With homes in the US and Portugal to continue to run, Harry and Meghan will both no doubt need to bring home the bacon. Andy said, "They do have a commercial need to work. They're not part of the royal purse anymore, and they need to dare I say it, get a job. That's what they'll be looking to do and try to monetise their move back to the UK."Even though Meghan is no longer a working royal, Andy believes the increased proximity to her world-famous in-laws could well restore some of that elusive royal sparkle to her bankability."I think it's going to be very hard for Meghan to re-establish her career in the UK. There's been a lot of negativity written about her, and certainly, commercially, that's going to be difficult. [But] There is a lot of intrigue and nobody loves a story more than a story that's about a family coming back together, and let's hope that's what it is," he said.‌This long-awaited return comes just one month after a reunion between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles III, who is still receiving treatment for cancer. It's understood that Charles, who was only informed of his son's plans on Sunday, August 16, is looking forward to spending more time with his young grandchildren, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.Camilla role model‌According to YouGov statistics, Meghan currently has a popularity rating of just 18 per cent among Brits polled, far below the 65 per cent popularity rating enjoyed by her sister-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales. However, as history has shown us, it is possible to turn things around - just ask Queen Camilla.Once viewed as public enemy number one on account of her affair with Charles during his marriage to Princess Diana, Camilla's fortunes have changed dramatically over the decades.Having thrown herself into important charity projects and bravely championing the voices of survivors of domestic abuse, the public's perception of Camilla has softened. While often the subject of intense scrutiny, she also rarely does interviews, seemingly keeping the Elizabeth II's 'never complain, never explain' motto firmly in mind.‌And Andy says Meghan should pay close attention. "In terms of a reputation repair plan, she's got the best role model there is in that, in Camilla, in that she was absolutely savaged by the UK media for a good chunk of her early life, but she's now turned it around and is the queen of our hearts, should we say."He believes that, like Camilla, Meghan should "keep quiet for a period of time, not launch straight into a campaign." He suggests: "I think she needs to do a lot of positive work, so obviously that's things like charity outreach and giving support to the networks that she already does, and then I think she needs to look at what commercial opportunities there are for her."TV cameos‌Former Suits star Meghan recently appeared as a guest judge on Masterchef Australia, having hosted her own cooking and lifestyle show on Netflix. She also dipped her toe back into the world of acting for the first time in nearly a decade, with an upcoming cameo in the film Close Personal Friends, which also stars Lily Collins and Brie Larson.As no stranger to the cameras, Andy believes we may see the Duchess back on our screens when she lands on UK soil. "I think that she will make a few cameos to test the water and see how it works," he reveals. "But let's not forget, she's appeared on American shows, Australian shows, and really has global appeal. The UK TV industry is the last market she's not cracked."While rumours have swirled about Meghan following in husband's footsteps with a tell-all royal memoir, the duchess has remained allusive on the subject. During an appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show in April 2025, she said: "People are often curious if I'm going to write a memoir, but I've got a lot more life to live before I'm there."‌Charity workFrom her early days as a working royal, Meghan showed a firm commitment to charitable causes, including the launch of her 2018 cookbook project, Together: Our Community Cookbook, released to support women impacted by the Grenfell tragedy.‌In 2019, the Duchess also became a patron of Smart Works, an organisation that provides unemployed women with interview clothes and skills coaching. Andy believes it's highly likely that Meghan will continue to pursue her charitable endeavours in a way that could well restore her place in the hearts of the British public.However, he warns that there should be "no mix-up between the charity and commercial work", explaining: "She needs to keep both of them distinctly separate so she can face no accusations of using charity work to boost any commercial inquiries that she gets. They have to be run in isolation. Charity work is one stream, commercial opportunities are the second, but I don't think the commercial opportunities will come until she's done that reputation repair work in the UK."‌Over in the States, Meghan has reportedly worked to instil the importance of giving back when it comes to raising her children. Last year, Allison P. Davis, a journalist for The Cut, documented Archie's journey home from school, accompanying him and Meghan as they gave out kits filled with food and water to unhoused people.Last November, the Sussexes also took their children along while volunteering with their Archewell Foundation and Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA). OBKLA is a nonprofit that provides meals for people in LA experiencing food insecurity.Once back in the UK, however, Andy believes that Meghan may well take a more cautious approach. He said: "She's fiercely protective, they both are, of their children, and you fully understand that, not least because of what Harry went through in his own childhood.‌"I think we can expect them to take a bit more of a reserved approach with their children, but similarly, we know that she won't be shy in, shall we say, letting them help her restore her reputation. So a few candid pictures, or even really well-managed pictures, of them doing charitable work will certainly help."Burnham-style moveAndy warns that Meghan and Harry's attempts at reputation repair in the UK from Montecito haven't been entirely successful, with Britain being "a completely different beast" in terms of both crisis comms and the general media landscape.‌The Sussexes have lost around 25 executive employees in just the past few years, including two of their key aides last December: chief communications officer Meredith Maines and James Holt, who served as head of their organisation, Archewell.In January, reports surfaced that Meghan had rehired Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis, a Hollywood comms 'crisis' firm, to help publicise her As Ever brand as well as other work.For the tough job ahead, Andy says Meghan will need "a dedicated team" in the UK, potentially following in the footsteps of Instagram-friendly PM, Andy Burnham.‌He says: "I very much suspect they're going to go with a heavy-hitting PR person, a really successful social media strategist. You only have to look at what the Prime Minister's done. He recruited, I think, 12 social media people in a week. They very much need that."Rumours have long been rife that working for the Sussexes has left past staff members seeking out "long-term therapy", with friends of past aides claiming that the workplace was "toxic" and "draining". The Sussexes have denied all claims of bullying against them.Inner circle‌Meghan is known to move in dazzling social circles in the US, counting the likes of Serena Williams and Tyler Perry as close confidantes, as well as fellow Suits alumna, Abigail Spencer. While the move from LA will likely be a culture shock, Meghan does have some friendly faces to turn to on British soil.It's understood that Meghan and Harry have maintained a good relationship with the Spencers, the noble family of Harry's late mother, Princess Diana. They're also close with Harry's paternal cousin, Princess Eugenie, and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, meaning playdates with their children could be on the cards.Outside of the family circle, the Sussexes may well drop in to see pals George and Amal Clooney. While not their primary residence, the Clooneys, who were guests at the Sussexes' 2018 wedding, do own a property in Sonning, Berkshire, where they have previously hosted their royal friends.Article continues belowShould they be passing through the Cotswolds, Harry and Meghan could well stop by at the stylish glass-walled home of Ellen DeGeneres, who moved there permanently in 2024 with wife Portia de Rossi. Meghan appeared on Ellen's talk show back in 2021, even gamely trying out some pranks.Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com. 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