Amid Drama, Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's UK Return Has A Silver Lining

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have officially returned to England after a six-year sojourn in California, and already royalists are questioning the wisdom of their choice. Harry and Meghan moved back to the U.K. amid a royal family truce with King Charles III and quickly immersed their children in British life, customs, and food (Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are reportedly developing a taste for Marmite; beans on toast, not so much). But, barely a few weeks into their reverse-Megxit, signs of trouble have already cropped up. A school snafu involving Meghan hinted that Harry's fears about compromised privacy might be coming true. The duchess's rumored return to television acting may also be farther away than first suspected. Was this a misstep in the Sussexes' life choices? Perhaps not. 

Alongside all the bumps in the road, there are also signs of hope for the royal defectors. One came in the form of a visit from one of Meghan's best friends, Kelly McKee Zajfen. The fellow Californian and former "Suits" star have been pals for more than two decades, seeing each other through their darkest moments. Zajfen knows what Meghan endured from the British tabloids during the early years of her marriage, and in turn, the duchess was there for Zajfen when her 9-year-old son Georgie died of COVID and meningitis in 2022. Since then, Zajfen has welcomed another son, Jack, who accompanied her on her overseas trip. She posted a carousel of highlights on Instagram, in which Zajfen noted that, far from being snubbed by the locals, Meghan has been given a warm welcome back: "To everyone we've met or bumped into, thank you for being so loving to my friend," she wrote. "It's been beautiful to witness. She missed you too!"

If Meghan Markle was worried that returning to England would mean being isolated from her friends, that worry was surely alleviated by Kelly McKee Zajfen's visit. The longtime friends bonded over a pub meal together, and Zajfen's baby Jack was introduced to all of the Sussexes, including 5-year-old Princess Lilibet, who seemed especially fascinated by the little one. "Having the best time," Zajfen enthused on Instagram. "There's something so special about getting a taste of this magical place with my bestie, and having my sweet Jack along for the adventure." Even more exciting, Zajfen wasn't the only special guest at the Sussexes' Cotswolds home. One of her photos (seen above on the right) was of a backyard scene in which Zajfen and Meghan enjoyed some wine and played board games with none other than Markus Anderson. 

Meghan's longtime pal Anderson seemed to have disappeared in recent months, which served to spark rumors that the hotel executive was trying to cover up an inappropriate relationship with the duchess. His return to visibility suggests otherwise. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's top priority in their return to the U.K. is the happiness and security of their two children. Now that Prince Archie and his little sister seem to be adjusting well to their new home and school, Meghan can begin to give some attention to her own well-being. Knowing that her BFFs still have her back is a good starting point. Their support should give her some strength as she faces the challenges that are yet to come in her return to her husband's homeland.