Former President Donald Trump said he was "happy" the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were returning to the United Kingdom and added, "I was not a fan of their stay in the United States." The remarks, made during a Q&A with travel‑industry executives after a press conference in New York, highlighted Trump comments on Harry Meghan and underscored his support for traditional institutions.
Trump’s comment did not reference any policy change. Instead, he used the high‑profile royal couple to reinforce his long‑standing support for the monarchy, signaling cultural alignment to his base as he eyes a possible return to electoral politics.
The statement was reported by the BBC, the Guardian and the Independent. All three outlets quoted the same language – Trump was pleased the couple were leaving and he had not favored their U.S. stay. None linked the comment to immigration, tourism or economic policy. The Sussexes completed their move back to the UK in early August after six years in the United States, a transition covered primarily as a cultural story. The British palace issued no comment, and Harry and Meghan have not responded.
During the same interview, Trump claimed a "very good relationship" with the late Queen Elizabeth II and a "really good relationship" with King Charles III. The Guardian noted the claim but provided no independent verification.
Analysts say the rhetorical move – tying a domestic political identity to a foreign celebrity narrative – is common among leaders who want to signal cultural loyalty without taking legislative action. The Sussexes’ departure is unlikely to shift U.S. public opinion about the British monarchy, but the story generated traffic for outlets that highlighted the royal angle, echoing earlier spikes when the couple’s U.S. projects were covered.
The episode illustrates how political figures can create news value through personal anecdotes even when no substantive action follows. As Harry and Meghan settle into new charitable work in the UK, observers will watch whether other U.S. politicians invoke similar royal references to frame policy discussions.
No official response from the British royal household or from the Sussexes was cited in any of the reports, leaving Trump’s comment without a formal rebuttal.