The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, returned to the United Kingdom at the end of August, having stepped back from their official royal duties in 2020 to relocate to the United States.
On Wednesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the couple’s move back, expressing that he is “glad” they have left the U.S. and returned to Britain.
“I’m happy about it. I wasn’t a fan of theirs,” Trump said during a discussion in the Oval Office, responding to questions about Harry and Meghan’s decision to leave California after six years, according to reports from Reuters.
Trump voiced his disapproval regarding how the couple treated the royal family, stating, “I thought they showed great disrespect. I didn’t like it,” while reflecting on his positive relationship with the late Queen Elizabeth and her successor, King Charles, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment.
Particularly critical of Meghan, who left acting in 2018 after marrying Harry, Trump remarked, “I didn’t like the way she behaved. I think it was extremely disrespectful.”
In a previous interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry accused the British royal family of neglect. Meghan, whose mother is Black and father is white, revealed concerns within the royal family regarding the potential skin color of their child during her pregnancy.
Prince William defended the royal family against these allegations, asserting, “We are not racist.” Harry also cited media scrutiny and the government’s failure to ensure his family’s security as reasons for their relocation to California.
Now back in the UK, Harry and Meghan are expected to remain part of the royal family without official roles. An insider disclosed last month that the couple intends to live outside of London for an extended period with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, who are set to attend school in Britain.
While it remains unclear what changes this move brings for the couple, Harry has expressed a desire for their children to spend time in the UK. Trump concluded his comments by stating, “If I were the royal family, I wouldn’t have welcomed them back.”
