WASHINGTON, D.C. — US President Donald Trump criticized Prince Harry and Meghan for their treatment of the royal family during a press conference on September 3, 2026. The comments followed the couple's relocation from California to Britain at the end of August 2026 after six years in the United States.

"I am happy about it. I was not a fan," Trump said when asked about Prince Harry and Meghan leaving the United States. He elaborated on his disapproval of their conduct toward the monarchy.

"I thought they treated the royal family with great disrespect. I didn't like it," he said regarding Prince Harry and Meghan.

The president directed specific criticism at the Duchess of Sussex. "I didn't like the way she acted. I thought she was terribly disrespectful," Trump said specifically about Meghan.

He offered a hypothetical stance on the royal family's decision to allow their return. "If I were the royal family, I would not have taken them back," he said.

Prince Harry and Meghan stepped down from official royal duties in 2020 when they moved to the United States. Prince Harry cited press scrutiny and the government's failure to provide security for his family as reasons for moving to California. During that period, Prince Harry accused the royal family of neglect in an interview with Oprah.

Meghan stated that there were concerns and conversations within the royal family about how dark her son's skin might be when he was born. Prince William defended the royal family against these accusations. "We're not racist," Prince William said in defense of the royal family following accusations of racism.

King Charles and Prince William were reportedly made aware of Prince Harry and Meghan's return plans just days before it was made public. The couple owns three homes: a newly rented non-royal property in the UK, a Montecito mansion, and a property in Portugal. Prince Harry is 41 years old and Meghan is 45 years old.

They are expected to remain non-working royals. Queen Elizabeth II rejected a "half-in half-out" option for Prince Harry and Meghan during their initial departure. King Charles is undergoing treatment for cancer.

A person close to Prince Harry and Meghan said the family planned to move somewhere outside London for an extended period with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will go to school in Britain. Prince Harry has said he wants his children to spend time in Britain.

Why It Matters

The return of Prince Harry and Meghan to Britain marks a shift after six years of residence in the United States. Their status as non-working royals limits their official role within the institution while they maintain a private life supported by multiple properties across three countries. The timing coincides with King Charles undergoing treatment for cancer, adding complexity to family dynamics during the transition.

Trump's public criticism references ongoing international scrutiny of the couple's relationship with the monarchy. His remarks reference past allegations of racism and neglect that Prince William previously addressed. The couple's decision to enroll their children in British schools indicates a long-term commitment to residing in the UK, despite maintaining homes in California and Portugal.

Timeline

Prince Harry and Meghan stepped down from official royal duties in 2020 when they moved to the United States. Prince Harry and Meghan relocated from California to Britain at the end of August 2026 after six years in the United States. On September 3, 2026, "I am happy about it. I was not a fan," Trump said when asked about Prince Harry and Meghan leaving the United States.

I didn't like it," Trump said regarding Prince Harry and Meghan. He added, "I didn't like the way she acted. Trump stated, "If I were the royal family, I would not have taken them back," Trump said. He also remarked, "I had a very good relationship with the queen, really good. I got to know her very well. A really good relationship with King Charles – I knew him as Prince Charles and King Charles. I’ve known him for a long time," Trump said. Trump described Queen Elizabeth II as a "great woman" who had "really never made a mistake" during her decades on the throne.

What's New

Additional details clarify the ages of the couple, with Prince Harry is 41 years old and Meghan is 45 years old. Historical context notes that Queen Elizabeth II rejected a "half-in half-out" option for Prince Harry and Meghan. Further quotes from the September 3 press conference include, "I had a very good relationship with the queen, really good. I got to know her very well. A really good relationship with King Charles – I knew him as Prince Charles and King Charles. I’ve known him for a long time," Trump said. Trump described Queen Elizabeth II as a "great woman" who had "really never made a mistake" during her decades on the throne. Personal background reveals Trump traces his fascination with the royal family to watching Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on TV in 1953 with his mother Mary Anne Trump. Trump described King Charles as a "great, great guy." Reports indicate King Charles and Prince William were reportedly made aware of Prince Harry and Meghan's return plans just days before it was made public. Property records show Prince Harry and Meghan own three homes: a newly rented non-royal property in the UK, a Montecito mansion, and a property in Portugal.