The Duchess of Sussex could restart the naturalisation process abandoned after ‘Megxit’ as her family establishes a new life in Britain while remaining outside the working monarchy.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex could revive her long-abandoned ambition to become a British citizen following her dramatic return to the UK – six years after ‘Megxit’ brought her original plans to a halt.
The 45-year-old moved back to Britain with her husband Prince Harry, 42, and their children Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, in August after six years based primarily in California.
The family are establishing themselves at a private, non-royal residence outside London while retaining ties to the US, with the children starting school in Britain.
The move has now revived questions about whether Meghan could eventually pursue the citizenship process she was expected to follow after marrying Harry in 2018.
A source told Radar Online: “British citizenship was something Meghan genuinely expected to pursue when she married Harry. At that point she believed Britain would be her permanent home, so becoming a citizen was a natural part of building her life here.
“Everything changed with Megxit. Once Meghan and Harry established themselves in America, there was little practical reason to continue down that road.
“Returning to Britain changes the equation again. She may not rush off tomorrow to study for and sit a citizenship test, but it is something that could logically come back onto the table and be revived if Britain once again becomes their long-term family base.”
Meghan married Harry at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May 2018, when Kensington Palace had already made clear that the American former actor intended to follow the ordinary citizenship process rather than receive preferential treatment because she had married into the royal family.
Under current Home Office rules, marriage to a British citizen does not itself provide automatic British citizenship.
An applicant using the spouse route must generally have lived in the UK for at least three years before applying and have indefinite leave to remain, settled status or indefinite leave to enter.
Applicants must also satisfy requirements covering their presence and absences from Britain, knowledge of language and life in the UK, and good character.
Radar’s source added: “There would also be symbolism attached to it.
“Meghan’s relationship with Britain became incredibly difficult, and ultimately she felt unable to remain here. Choosing British citizenship now would represent a remarkable change from the circumstances in which she left.”
Meghan and Harry stepped back as working members of the royal family in 2020 before settling in California, where they built independent commercial careers through projects including their Netflix documentary Harry and Meghan.
Meghan, who became internationally known playing paralegal Rachel Zane in Suits, has subsequently returned to lifestyle television with Netflix’s With Love, Meghan and launched her As ever brand, selling products including preserves, honey, tea and wine.
Meghan and Harry’s return to the UK has not restored their former positions within the monarchy.
King Charles III, 77, authorised formal guidance after their British comeback reaffirming Meghan and Harry “are no longer working Members of The Royal Family” and that there had been “no change” to their status following their move back to Britain.
The guidance stated: “The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity.”
It added: “In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
A source added to Radar Online: “The complication is that returning geographically doesn’t mean Meghan and Harry have returned to the royal family. Those are completely separate things, and Buckingham Palace has gone out of its way to make that distinction unmistakable.”
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