Once again, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in the spotlight.

Six years after moving away from royal duties and settling in California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly planning to return to Britain later this month with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are set to begin school in Britain this September. Harry and Meghan will live in a private residence, distancing themselves from the ranks of working royals.

This return, though given breaking-news attention, feels expected.

Their time in America always involved a paradox. Much of their celebrity status derived from the institution they sought to distance themselves from.

“America never runs low on celebrities,” said media analyst John Smith. “We create celebrities within days, but royalty is rare, and that rarity was central to Meghan and Harry’s relevance.”

Their connection to the British monarchy, which captivates American audiences, initially held great appeal.

After stepping away from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan launched a media business focusing on podcasts, television, and publishing. Their Netflix documentary series, Harry & Meghan, delved deeply into their royal family ties and exit. It became Netflix’s most-watched documentary within just four days. Harry’s memoir, Spare, and a high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey similarly captivated audiences by exploring palace life.

Despite their success, their most compelling narratives remained deeply rooted in the British monarchy. With time, their distance from active royal roles made it challenging to maintain their unique celebrity status.

This situation led to the inevitable expiration of their American chapter. The couple’s allure was not merely in fame but the distinct connection to a world intriguing to Americans yet inaccessible. Over time, the scarcity of novel insights into palatial matters and family dynamics increased audiences’ demand for fresh stories.

While reinvention was possible, as many individuals and families in the U.S. achieve each year, Harry and Meghan struggled to redefine themselves beyond their royal origins. Their celebrity, deeply tied to royal narratives, wasn’t enough to sustain enduring interest.