Prince William has reportedly joined King Charles in opposing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's plan to resume duties as working members of the British royal family, a development that has captured the attention of Canadians and Americans.
Royal family division
Prince William is reportedly opposed to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returning as working members of the royal family as the couple prepares to move back to the UK.
Prince Harry and Meghan are planning to return to Britain later this month and have reportedly already enrolled their children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, in schools for September.
The couple are expected to remain in the UK for an "extended period of time", six years after stepping back as working royals and moving to California.
Royal sources told the Mirror that the Prince of Wales and the King are "completely united" in their view that Harry and Meghan should not return as working royals, ruling out a "half in, half out" arrangement.
Friends of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, were also quoted as saying the couple "cannot forgive" Harry and Meghan over previous public allegations, but are determined to "look forward to the future".
Public opinion in Canada and the US
In Canada, the monarchy remains a symbol of the nation's constitutional heritage, and any change to the senior royal lineup can influence public sentiment and tourism.
Similarly, in the United States, the British royal family continues to attract media coverage and public curiosity, making the Sussexes' potential return a topic of conversation.
YouGov poll conducted the day after news of the couple's reported plans emerged found that 33 per cent of respondents believed Harry and Meghan should not return to live in Britain, while 21 per cent supported a move back from the US.
A further 45 per cent said they did not know.
Opposition to a return was higher among older respondents. According to the poll, 47 per cent of people aged 65 and over said the couple should not move back, compared with 24 per cent of those aged 18 to 24.
Relations between the Sussexes and other members of the royal family have been strained in recent years.
Tensions rose after Meghan made a series of claims about her experiences within the institution during the couple's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, while Harry discussed his relationships with senior members of the family in his 2023 memoir Spare.
Read More Harry claimed in his controversial memoir that William had physically attacked him in a row over Meghan, and that his brother and Kate encouraged him to wear a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party in 2005 and "howled" with laughter when they saw it.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have not reacted publicly to the news, but former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggested William would be "apoplectic".
It is understood the Sussexes are keeping their homes in Montecito, California; and Portugal, while the duchess will continue to run her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from their new base.