Prince Harry plans UK return as he reaches out to former royal aides to bring him back ‘from the cold’

Prince Harry plans UK return as he reaches out to former royal aides to bring him back ‘from the cold’
MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA:

Prince Harry, who has been living away from the royal spotlight in California with Meghan Markle, is reportedly planning a careful return to the UK with help from trusted former aides.

According to the Daily Mail, the Duke of Sussex is reaching out to former royal colleagues for advice as he reassesses his strategy for repairing his public image and strengthening family relationships.

VANCOUVER, CANADA – FEBRUARY 16: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the Invictus Games One Year To Go Winter Training Camp at Hillcrest Community Centre on February 16, 2024 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Prince Harry has grown disillusioned with advice from American image consultants(Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Sources have clarified that Harry and Markle, who have been living in California with their children for the past four years, are not considering a permanent return.

Prince Harry’s strategy for public image rehabilitation
Sources revealed that Prince Harry, 39, has grown disillusioned with advice from American image consultants, leading him to reconnect with figures from his previous life as a working royal.

This step is part of a larger strategy to “rehabilitate” his public image and potentially reestablish connections with the royal circle, although he and Meghan are not considering a permanent relocation.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have experienced a series of changes in their PR team, with Christine Weil Schirmer, their former head of communications, recently departing from her role.

Schirmer’s departure is part of a larger trend, with ten staff members having left in the past three years.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the pre-closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 at Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 16, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have spent the past four years living in self-imposed exile in California (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
In August, the Sussexes’ chief of staff, Josh Kettler, unexpectedly resigned after just three months on the job.

“Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates,” said a source. “He is clearly reaching out thinking, ‘I need to do something different because what I’m doing is clearly not working.’ In short, he is rethinking the way he operates.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 06: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023 in London, England. The Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the other Commonwealth realms takes place at Westminster Abbey today. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II. (Photo by Ben Stansall – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Harry has sent conciliatory messages to several old friends in the UK on WhatsApp (Ben Stansall – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
One of Harry’s key advisers, renowned for their discretion and loyalty, is reportedly developing a plan for the Duke to re-enter public life in the UK.

The strategy involved a low-profile return, focusing on “mundane” royal duties and public engagements that could gradually restore his reputation.

The plan was to reintroduce Harry to British circles with minimal fuss, giving him the opportunity to demonstrate his commitment and potentially regain public favor over time.

King Charles seeks forgiveness advice to mend ties with Prince Harry
Although Prince Harry’s relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains strained and a full reconciliation seems unlikely, there are signs of optimism.

Recent reports suggest that King Charles is open to mending the rift with his youngest son and has sought guidance from faith leaders on forgiveness.

This potential for familial healing, along with his discreet approach, could pave the way for a careful reintroduction into royal life.

(Getty Images)
Prince Harry’s relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains strained, and a complete reconciliation seems improbable (Getty Images)
In his personal life, Harry has been reconnecting with old friends in the UK via WhatsApp, seeking their support in what some are calling “Operation Bring Harry In From The Cold.”

Moreover, Edward Lane Fox, Harry’s former private secretary, might play a crucial role in facilitating this return.

Friends believe Lane Fox’s expertise and familiarity with royal protocols could be crucial in guiding Harry’s reintegration into British society.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 04: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend
Recent reports suggest that King Charles is open to mending the rift with his youngest son, Prince Harry (Getty Images)
One friend expressed, “If anyone can do it, Edward can. The last time I saw him, I wanted to take him by the shoulders and say, ‘Ed, please bring our boy home.’ It’s the right time now.”

When asked about assisting the Duke, Mr Lane Fox told the Daily Mail, “It’s not something I’ve got a view on, I’m afraid.”

Interestingly, Harry has opted not to update his memoir, ‘Spare,’ for its upcoming paperback edition and will not be participating in interviews to promote it.

This decision is thought to signal a possible shift in focus from contentious narratives to more constructive themes of personal growth and reconciliation.