‘Scroungers’ or worth a second chance: What Londoners really think of Harry and Meghan

August 23, 2026 — 7:30pm

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London: The Duke of Sussex is waiting for me when I alight from Waterloo Station and walk along busy streets on a sunny afternoon as people head out for drinks and dinner.

Before I get to the pub and its popular beer garden, however, I have work to do. I slow down so I can ask people what they think about Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, making an imminent return to Britain.

And I find Londoners have as many opinions about the royal family as they have bus routes.

“I think they’re welcome – it would be better for everyone if they reunited as a family,” says Karl, a man in his 30s who is rushing for a train.

“They should stay away,” says a woman in her 50s.

“It’s an irrelevance,” says Benedict, a communications professional. “The royal family is an ancient hangover of a corrupt society.”

Big questions surround the royal couple’s return with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. The children are due to start at a British school as soon as next week, the beginning of the school year, and the family are said to be moving to a private residence just outside London.

The British press is full of speculation about whether the government will assign security to the family; when Meghan will resume her acting career; whether King Charles will welcome them home; and whether Harry can reconcile with his brother, William, the Prince of Wales.

Even those who have a soft spot for Harry – the actual Duke of Sussex, of course – wonder why he is coming back after speaking out against the royal family during his six years in California.

“I don’t mind Harry. I think he’ll be fine,” says Helen McMahon, a doctor who is out for the day with her two young........

© The Age