US President Donald Trump has said he would not have “taken back” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex if he were the King, adding: “He’s a much better person than I am.”
His comments came just more than a week after the Sussexes returned to the UK to begin a new life following six years living in the US.
When asked by a GB News presenter what he would do if he were the King, Mr Trump said: “I would not have taken him back. Too much hate. Too many really bad things said.
“(Harry) wrote a book that was so bad and (Meghan) was a horrible influence on him. What she’s done to him is unacceptable.”
The politician said that Charles is a friend of his, adding that he thinks he is “fantastic”.
Meghan and Harry, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are said to be settling in the UK for an “extended period” of time.
There is ongoing speculation as to how long they will stay and where they will live, with the Cotswolds being suggested as the most likely destination.
Mr Trump said that Charles, who is still being treated for cancer, is “fighting through a very tough situation with his health”, adding: “Very few people would have that bravery to do what he’s done.”
Mr Trump said that Harry “wrote a book that was very terrible to William”, adding: “It was terrible the things he said … I mean, it’s just me. I’m sure I’m wrong on this, but I would not have taken him back.
“I would have never spoken to him again.”
Referencing Charles, Mr Trump said: “He’s a much better person than I am. I wouldn’t have done it. I would have said, ‘Forget it’.”
The Sussexes flew into the UK on a private plane from California shortly before midday on August 26, landing at Birmingham Airport.
It is understood that Archie, seven, and five-year-old Lili have been enrolled in British schools, ready to start in September.
Harry and Meghan, who are remaining as non-working royals, quit the monarchy six years ago amid the Megxit crisis, relocating to the US from where they criticised members of the royal family and the institution.
The Sussexes’ dramatic U-turn was revealed last month but the pair have yet to speak publicly about their plans.
It is not yet clear whether taxpayers will foot the bill for their security.
Harry, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood last month asking her to take a personal role in determining if his family receive close police protection.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham would previously not be drawn on Harry and Meghan’s security arrangements in the UK, saying the funding for it was a “private matter”.
Harry had insisted it was too dangerous to bring his wife and children to the UK with the security he was entitled to post-Megxit.
It is understood there have been at least six threats or plots concerning the duke from the Taliban, al Qaida or their supporters since 2007.
Last year, he lost a legal battle against the Home Office over the security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK, after his level of protection changed when he stopped being a working royal.
Harry has argued he faces a greater risk than his late mother, with “additional layers of racism and extremism”.
Future king William is estranged from his younger brother after Harry criticised him, Kate, Charles and Camilla in a primetime Oprah interview, his Netflix documentary and in his autobiography Spare after stepping back from royal duties.
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