A surprising new report claims that Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, sees a future where his children, Archie and Lilibet, could return to the UK and take on official royal duties—a possibility few would have imagined given his well-documented departure from royal life.

A Dramatic Shift in Perspective

This revelation is particularly startling considering Harry’s public criticisms of the monarchy. He famously stepped back from royal duties, painted the institution as emotionally rigid and isolating, and aired grievances in documentaries, interviews, and his best-selling memoir. Despite all this, Harry reportedly hopes his children will one day have the choice to serve as working royals.

The Passport Controversy

According to The Guardian, delays in issuing UK passports for Archie and Lilibet after Queen Elizabeth’s death caused concern for Harry and Meghan.

The Sussexes allegedly feared British officials were dragging their feet because the applications listed the children with the titles “His/Her Royal Highness.” A source said the King did not want them to hold those titles and the passports might be the only legal proof of their names.

Still, Harry reportedly wants to retain the HRH status for his children so they can decide in adulthood whether to take on royal roles or remain private citizens.

A Royal Return That Defies Logic

The idea of Archie and Lilibet stepping into royal roles seems at odds with Harry’s long-standing opposition to the royal institution. Critics question why he would want his children to join a system he once rejected so publicly.

The family has had limited interaction with the UK since relocating to California. Archie left the country as a baby, and Lilibet has only visited once. She reportedly has never met Prince William or Princess Kate, which raises questions about how deeply connected they are to royal life—or whether they’d even want to be.

The Slimmed-Down Monarchy Dilemma

Since King Charles began his “slimmed-down monarchy” plan in 2012, the royal family has moved away from expanding its working members. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, once expected to carry out royal duties, now live regular working lives. Even they haven’t appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony in years.

It’s hard to imagine the British public warming to Archie and Lilibet—Californian-raised, unfamiliar with UK traditions—as future royal representatives.

Would William Allow It?

The biggest obstacle may be Prince William himself. By the time Harry’s children are old enough to take on public duties, William is expected to be King—and he reportedly has a strained relationship with his brother. One source told The Daily Beast last year that William “absolutely f**king hates” Harry.

If cousins like Beatrice and Eugenie haven’t been welcomed into royal duties, it seems even less likely that Harry’s American-born children would be invited to join the fold.

Looking to the Future

Perhaps one day, the royal family will need new faces and Archie and Lilibet will embrace their heritage and choose public service. But for now, the idea of them returning as working royals seems far-fetched.

Still, Harry continues to surprise—both the public and the palace. Maybe the same will be true of his children, whether in Montecito or one day, back in London.