When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle first announced their plans to leave the royal family in January 2020, it was framed as a reduction in royal responsibilities rather than a complete departure. However, the queen told the couple that "in leaving royal duties, it is not possible to continue the responsibilities and obligations associated with public service," and the couple eventually relocated full-time to California and took up private practice in the United States. However, according to royal family expert Tom Quinn, speaking to Us Weekly, the couple may be allowed to return to part-time royal duties once Prince Charles becomes king.

Quinn, author of "Scandal in the Royal Court," says: We have already heard Prince Charles say he wants to streamline and modernize the royal family. I think Meghan and Harry are hoping that Charles will accept the idea of becoming a part-time royal. Quinn added, "Of course, the Queen, who grew up with the feeling of being fully in or fully out, would not allow (it), but ...... Charles might allow this," he added.

He added, "I don't know." They could do so for half the year and do other things in the US."

Meghan Markle said in Oprah's bombshell interview: "We never left the family, we just wanted to have the same type of role that exists. ...... We specifically said we were stepping down from senior positions."

She added.

She added, "We are not reinventing the wheel here and saying, 'Okay, this is not working for everyone. We have a lot of pain and we are not getting the help we need. We can take a step back." She also noted that the couple wanted to emulate members of the royal family who "earn a living, live on the palace grounds, and can support the queen whenever asked."

"Our plan was to do this forever," she said.