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.