In August 2026, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived back in the UK after news broke last week that they would be moving back from California. However, long before their stateside move (and even before they married in 2018) Prince Philip had some advice for his grandson amid his plans to wed the former American actress.
Author Andrew Lownie claims in his book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, that following news about Harry's engagement to Meghan after a year of dating, Prince Philip is said to have warned his grandson: "One steps out with actresses, one doesn't marry them."
This caution was also reported by The Sunday Times in 2019: "The Duke of Edinburgh apparently also chipped in – 'One steps out with actresses, one doesn't marry them,' he is said to have advised his grandson. Idle dinner party gossip, perhaps, although it does sound like a Prince Philip bon mot."
Nevertheless, the Duke put in a rare public appearance to attend Harry and Meghan's nuptials at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 19 May 2018. Prince Philip retired from royal duties on 2 August 2017, aged 96, having completed 22,219 solo engagements since 1952.
He spent the latter years of his life residing at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when he and Queen Elizabeth II spent lockdown at Windsor Castle.
© Getty ImagesPrince Philip's death and funeral
Philip died aged 99 at the Berkshire royal residence on 9 April 2021, just shy of his 100th birthday. Harry and Meghan had already stepped back as senior working royals and had moved to California at the time of the Duke's death, but the Prince flew over from the US to the UK in order to attend his grandfather's funeral at St George's Chapel.
© Getty ImagesOnly 30 mourners could attend the service due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time. Upon arriving in the UK, Harry self-isolated at his and Meghan's former Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage, in line with government advice at the time, in order to be at the funeral.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Sussex was unable to make the journey to the UK as she was heavily pregnant with the couple's second child, Princess Lilibet, and doctors had advised her not to fly.
'Master of the barbecue'
In a tribute to Prince Philip, Harry wrote: "My grandfather was a man of service, honour and great humour. He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm - and also because you never knew what he might say next.
© Getty"He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the monarch, a decorated serviceman, a Prince and a Duke. But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right 'til the end.
"He has been a rock for Her Majesty The Queen with unparalleled devotion, by her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, 'Oh do get on with it!'"
Moving back?
© Chris JacksonAs for Prince Harry, the latest news is that he and Meghan are making a surprise return to the UK, with plans to enrol their children in school for September. After six years of living in Montecito, California, following their decision to step back as senior royals in 2020, it is a significant move.
While Harry has returned frequently for his charity work, visits as a full family unit have been far less frequent. However, this move will not alter their status within the Royal Family, and HELLO! understands that they will be living in a private, non-royal residence outside London.
© InstagramKing Charles is said to welcome the opportunity to reunite with his grandchildren in a private capacity, though at this time it is not known whether Harry will reunite with his brother, Prince William. The couple previously spent time with the King at Highgrove back in July 2026. For now, it seems that whatever advice the couple have received over the years, they continue to make decisions on their own terms, always putting their best foot forward for their family.
