Former US President Donald Trump has expressed approval of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, returning to the United Kingdom after several years living in the United States. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he was “happy” about their departure and described himself as “not a fan” of the couple, specifically criticising Meghan’s behaviour.

Trump accused the Sussexes of showing “great disrespect” to both the late Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. He said he did not like the way Meghan acted and that if he were a member of the British royal family, he “would not have taken them back.” The former president emphasised his reportedly strong personal relationships with the late Queen and King Charles, stating he had known Charles both before and after his accession to the throne.

The couple’s move follows their decision to relocate their family, including their children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, to the UK for what has been described as an extended period. They recently met with King Charles earlier in July and have since enrolled their children in a British school. Their return has reignited discussions about the 2020 Sandringham Agreement, under which the Sussexes agreed to step back from official royal duties and lost access to public funding.

Trump’s comments come amid a history of mutual criticism between him and the Sussexes. Meghan Markle previously described Trump as “divisive” and “misogynistic” during the 2016 US presidential campaign, while she notably did not attend his 2019 state visit to the UK, citing maternity leave. Trump himself has referred to Meghan with disparaging remarks in the past.

The Sussexes’ decision to move back to Britain marks a significant shift after nearly six years based in California. While they have not publicly commented on Trump’s recent remarks, their return has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions surrounding their status within the royal family and their future roles.