PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN ‘WILL DO WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT’ — THE DEFIANT MESSAGE BEHIND THEIR RETURN TO UK ENGAGEMENTS

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing to carry out more UK engagements despite no longer being working royals, with a close friend insisting the couple intend to support the causes they care about on their own terms.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their first joint public appearance in Nottingham since returning to Britain, two months after their arrival sparked questions about what their future role in the country might look like.

Meghan described it as “great to be back” as the couple visited local organisations, signalling that their return could involve more community-focused appearances similar to those they undertook during their visit to Australia earlier this year.

According to a friend who spoke to news.com.au, the Sussexes have no uncertainty about why they are continuing these engagements.

“There is no confusion – on their part – about why they’re doing these sorts of engagements,” the source said.

‘THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY WANT’

The friend argued that Harry and Meghan should be free to support causes they have long been associated with, even without official royal duties or taxpayer funding.

“It’s very simple. They are doing what they want, when they want, how they want,” the source said. “They aren’t taxpayer funded like others, so why shouldn’t they live their lives the way [they] choose?”

The source also defended the couple’s decision to bring attention to community projects, including a recording studio and a food bank in Nottingham.

“They’re fundamentally good people doing good work when they can for good causes,” the friend added, questioning why their involvement should provoke anger.

The visit came after Harry faced boos at a rugby match, making the warm welcome the couple received in Nottingham a contrasting moment in their recent UK appearances.

A RESPONSE TO THE KING’S LETTER?

The friend suggested there could also be an element of defiance behind the Sussexes’ decision to continue with these visits.

Their return comes amid renewed attention to a letter from King Charles that reportedly reinforced Harry and Meghan’s position as private individuals rather than working members of the Royal Family.

Although the couple have previously said they do not follow online commentary about themselves, the source argued that they would have been aware of the reaction awaiting them in Britain.

“They have the internet in California,” the friend said. “In the same way they can read headlines in the US every day from their new home, they had access to the UK papers when they were living in Montecito. They knew what the temperature here was going to be.”

The comments suggest the Sussexes were not necessarily expecting universal approval when they returned.

MORE UK VISITS COULD FOLLOW

The Nottingham appearance may encourage Harry and Meghan to undertake further engagements across Britain, according to the report.

Their approach resembles the community visits they carried out in Australia earlier this year, allowing them to maintain connections with organisations and causes without returning to formal working-royal status.

The friend said the couple would “press on unapologetically” despite criticism of their so-called “half-in, half-out” approach to royal life.

For now, the Sussexes have not publicly announced a detailed programme of future UK engagements. But their Nottingham visit, combined with the message from their close friend, points to a continued effort to support causes on their own terms — regardless of the debate surrounding their position outside the Royal Family.