The Duke and Duchess of Sussex landed back in the UK earlier this week, bringing their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, with them, ready to begin a new life.
Since their move to the US in 2020, relations between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the royal family have been frosty, but cast your mind back to 2016, when Meghan and Harry began dating, and it was a different story altogether.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were charmed by Meghan's love of dogs, Harry wrote in his memoir, Spare, while the duke wrote that his cousin Eugenie hugged Megan "like they were sisters."
© NetflixThe only person Harry recounted a slightly awkward meeting with was his uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Meghan's first meeting with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
In the pages of Spare, Prince Harry wrote of an occasion he took Meghan to meet his aunt, Sarah Ferguson, at her former royal home, Royal Lodge. Harry's uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, plus Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank and a friend of Sarah's were there too, but upon arrival, he'd found the late Queen was visiting, which overshadowed proceedings, somewhat.
© Getty Images"After twenty minutes, Granny announced she had to be going. My uncle Andrew, seated beside her, holding her handbag, began to escort her out. Euge went with her too. Before reaching the door Granny looked back to say goodbye to Jack, and to Fergie’s friend. She locked eyes with Meg, gave a wave and a warm smile. Bye. Bye. Lovely to meet you, Ma’am, as she dipped into a curtsy again. Everyone flooded into the room after she’d driven away. The whole vibe changed. Euge and Jack were their old selves, and someone suggested drinks."
It was then that Harry realised Meghan didn't know who Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was.
"Everyone complimented Meg on her curtsy. So good! So deep! After a moment, Meg asked me something about the Queen’s assistant. I asked who she was talking about. That man holding the purse. That man who walked her to the door. That wasn't her assistant. Who was it? That was her second son. Andrew."
© Getty ImagesA lot has changed since Meghan and Harry were last based in the UK – Andrew has been stripped of his royal titles and ordered to leave his Windsor home, while his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, has been in hiding for many months.
Harry and Meghan were always close to Andrew and Sarah's youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie, and her husband, Jack, so perhaps they will spend time with them now they're home – especially given rumours are abound that Harry and Meghan have a home in Portugal, where Eugenie and Jack spent half of their time.
