The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly grown close to the former Spice Girl and ex-Red Bull boss as they prepare to establish a new life in Britain.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are said to have struck up a friendship with former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner and her husband Christian Horner as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prepare to move back to Britain.
Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, were reportedly invited to lunch at the couple’s £9.2 million Grade II-listed former vicarage in the Cotswolds during their visit to Britain in July, according to the Daily Mail.
Geri, 54, and Christian, 52, are said to have discussed life in Britain with the Sussexes as Harry and Meghan considered where they and their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, could live.
The Sussexes are expected to relocate to Britain later this month, although they will remain non-working members of the royal family.
A source close to Geri and Christian told the Mail: “Meghan and Geri in particular have become increasingly friendly and have been in ever more regular contact in recent weeks.
“Christian has also had a number of conversations with Harry. They are friends.”
The source added: “Geri is absolutely buzzing about the relationship – and she’s loving being involved from the inside in their return to UK.
“Christian is a bit more circumspect – less overawed.
“But both of them are aware that the Sussexes will be relaunching themselves socially in a matter of days and they see themselves as potentially a key part of this new friendship group.”
Geri became internationally famous as Ginger Spice in the Spice Girls alongside Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm and Emma Bunton.
The group became one of the biggest pop acts of the 1990s, with hits including Wannabe, Spice Up Your Life and 2 Become 1.
Christian spent two decades as team principal of Red Bull Racing, overseeing a period in which the Formula One team won multiple drivers’ and constructors’ championships before he left the organisation in 2025.
Harry and Meghan’s apparent friendship with the couple has developed as the Sussexes make preparations for their return from California.
It was reported last week they intend to move back to Britain with Archie and Lilibet six years after stepping away from royal duties and relocating to North America.
The children are expected to attend school in Britain, while Harry and Meghan are set to live in a private property rather than a royal residence.
The couple are not returning as working royals.
King Charles, 77, is said to welcome the prospect of spending more time privately with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, but that Harry and Meghan’s status within the royal family will remain unchanged.
The move follows a significant development in Harry’s relationship with his father.
Charles met Archie and Lilibet at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire in July, the first time he had seen the children in person since Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
Queen Camilla, 79, was also present.
The Sussexes’ relationship with the royal family has been strained since they left Britain in 2020.
Harry subsequently detailed disagreements with his relatives in his memoir Spare, while he and Meghan also discussed their experiences inside the monarchy in their interview with Oprah Winfrey and their Netflix documentary series Harry and Meghan.
The Cotswolds would represent familiar territory for the couple.
Harry and Meghan rented a farmhouse there after their 2018 wedding before moving to Frogmore Cottage, and recent reports have again linked them with the area as they prepare to establish a British base.
Their July trip also included the Highgrove reunion and a visit to the burial place of Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, at Althorp in Northamptonshire.
Recent reporting has said the couple will retain their Montecito mansion even after returning to Britain.
Geri has crossed paths with the royal couple’s world before.
There was speculation ahead of Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding the Spice Girls would attend, although Victoria was the only member of the group at the ceremony.
Geri also attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2020, which became Harry and Meghan’s final official engagement before they ceased being working members of the royal family.
The two couples also have connections through Princess Eugenie, 36, who has maintained a close relationship with her cousin Harry and is also friendly with Geri.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘find new friendship group with Geri and Christian Horner’
