Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not planning to apologise to Prince William and Kate Middleton, a source close to the couple has said, dismissing claims of a reconciliation bid as 'nonsense'.
The denial, reported by People magazine on 7 October 2026, came after the Daily Express splashed a front-page story claiming the Sussexes were preparing a 'sensational apology' as part of a long-term plan for their return to the UK. According to the Express's unnamed source, Harry and Meghan's 'one big regret' about leaving the royal family was their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, and Meghan knew her 'biggest mistake' was claiming that a royal family member had discussed their son Archie's skin colour before his birth.
'Harry was angry with his family at the time, and backed Meghan up, but they now realise what a low blow it was,' the Express source said. 'They both know they're hot-headed and realise they took things too far, and they should have kept quiet. They really want a sit-down so they can address what they said, and Meghan will apologise.'
The claim was swiftly shot down. A source close to Harry and Meghan told People the apology story was 'nonsense'. Royal journalist Tom Sykes told Page Six: 'It is total rubbish. Harry has always said he will never apologize for anything.' Commentator Kinsey Schofield added: 'My own sources have told me this story is absolutely not true,' noting that the couple remain 'defiant' and questioning the idea they now regret the Oprah interview.
The episode underlines how far the rift between the Sussexes and the Waleses remains from healing. Harry and Meghan returned to England after years in the United States, but royal sources said William has not spoken to his brother or sister-in-law in years.
The apology claim also coincided with a dramatic week for the wider royal family, as the former Prince Andrew challenged the police warrants used to search his homes, leading some observers to suggest the reconciliation story was conveniently timed. For now, the Sussexes' relationship with the senior royals appears as frozen as ever, with 'total rubbish' the verdict on any imminent olive branch.
The Sussexes' return to England has been one of the most closely watched royal stories of the year. Royal sources have said William has not spoken to Harry in years, and the Waleses have made no public comment on the Sussexes' comeback. The Daily Express story claimed the couple wanted a sit-down to address what they said, with Meghan prepared to apologise. But the swift denials from the couple's camp, from Sykes and from Schofield suggest no reconciliation is imminent. Palace insiders say the family is focused on the King's programme, with little appetite for reopening old wounds.