The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have barely been in the country two weeks - creating more questions than answers as to why they here and what their intensions are18:36, 09 Sep 2026Leaks, counter leaks and dueling media campaigns between two camps unable to work together. An intense rivalry galvanised by warring courts, unable to pull back from the brink of internal destruction.‌Indeed, the War of the Waleses - involving Prince Charles and Princess Diana during the most brutal separation during the 90s - will forever be remembered as one of the most challenging periods for the royal family. And yet, more than 30 years on, history appears to be in danger of repeating itself.‌Just two weeks from touching down on British soil - six years after leaving it all behind on the crassly coined ‘Freedom Flight’ - Harry and Meghan have returned to the UK.‌Depending on what news outlet you have consumed this week, the sequel that absolutely no one had asked for, will last between six months and 15 years. Best buckle up then!‌Apart from the fact, no one quite knows what they are doing here. True enough, Harry may have been homesick. He may have even yearned for the British autumn after what must be an intolerable time in almost constant sunshine on the Californian coast.Who could really blame him for choosing a quaint British school in the countryside for his children? And maybe, as far fetched as it may sound, Meghan has actually got a job offer with a Netflix smasher.Yet, none of this has stopped the rumour mill in suggesting the money is running out and they’ve been forced to come back to the drawing board and have another crack at making things work with the family they’ve spent the last six years running roughshod over. The thing is, no one actually knows. It wouldn’t be that surprising even if Harry and Meghan didn’t!‌The Sussexes' return to Britain has brought more questions than answers. Top of the tree is undoubtedly what do they actually want? Do they, or Harry at least, really want complete reconciliation? Would he even know how to go about it? Developments over the last few weeks would suggest not.‌Waiting until three days before global news breaks of your return before telling your dad - the actual King - of your homecoming, might not be considered putting one’s best foot forward. And then we get to the startling coincidences of times gone by.Barely a fortnight has passed and the briefing wars have begun. The pattern was already so heavily stitched into the fabric of this story, of course, dating back to February 2020.The terms of their exit was determined by the royal family - only for Harry and Meghan to publish a lengthy statement “clarifying” what the palace had put out just hours earlier. In more recent years there has been a cascade of leaking to journalists on their ‘friendly’ list detailing, to varying levels of dismay, everything from how their children Archie and Lilibet were not invited to the Coronation, to the King not answering Harry's calls.‌Content cannot be displayed without consentWhile uncertainty continues to linger in the air, this week the King, through the Lord Chamberlain, got on the front foot by extinguishing any hope the Sussexes may have of coming back to the royal fold. His message, in a letter to local authorities and basically anyone else looking to engage with them, could not have been clearer. They aren't coming back and they don't represent The Firm.Without drawing breath, Team Sussex draws on the tried and trusted methods of outrage of the past. The letter goes public, the Sussexes relay their dismay, they were “surprised” at the lack of respect. I’ll leave that with you to consider for just a moment.Article continues belowClaim and counter claim reach the public sphere. Harry hasn’t had the decency to call his father - “oh no he has!” the other side cries. Round and round we go.So where does this leave us, or rather, them? It’s hard to believe it has only been a few weeks since the once considered impossible scenario of repatriation filtered through and then became a reality. It’s going to be a slog to the end of the year if this is a sign of things to come.