The return of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's senior aide, James Holt, to London has prompted fresh questions over whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could increase their presence in the UK, particularly as Mr Holt will continue advising the couple on overseas humanitarian work.
Mr Holt, who has worked with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for nearly a decade, confirmed on Monday that he and his family will be relocating back to Britain after five years in Los Angeles.
He will step back from day-to-day leadership at Archewell Philanthropies but remain a senior adviser.
In a personal statement, Mr Holt said working with Prince Harry and Meghan had been “one of the great privileges of my career”, adding that after five years in California, “it’s time for my family to return to London”.
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“When I pass the baton to the team leading Archewell Philanthropies in the coming months, I’ll do so with immense pride and optimism for what lies ahead,” he said.
Prince Harry and Meghan paid tribute to Mr Holt, describing him as “a stellar support for us for nearly ten years” and confirming he would continue to play a role in their philanthropic work.
“As James moves his young family back to the UK, we are proud that he will continue to guide various humanitarian trips for us overseas through Archewell Philanthropies,” the couple said.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex later confirmed that Mr Holt “will remain a senior philanthropic advisor for the couple and Archewell Philanthropies, supporting their humanitarian trips overseas in 2026”.
Meghan and Harry aide’s London move sparks questions about Sussexes’ UK return: ‘Not severing ties’
|GETTY
The move comes after the couple’s charitable organisation transitioned from the Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies, a restructuring described as part of an effort to broaden their global humanitarian reach.
Speaking to GB News, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said Mr Holt’s return did not represent a complete break from the Sussexes’ operations but reflected organisational changes within their charity.
“The details available indicate he is not severing ties with them but is returning to London,” Mr Fitzwilliams said, noting that Archewell Philanthropies is undergoing restructuring and job cuts.
He added: “It is a very small charity; their ambitions are unfulfilled if they expected more donations.”
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James Holt attending the couple's wedding in 2018 | GETTYMr Fitzwilliams appeared to be referring to the scale of Archewell’s most recently published financial filings, which show a comparatively modest level of donations for a charity with global ambitions.
The royal author said Mr Holt’s continued role as a senior adviser could still be significant, particularly in managing overseas humanitarian visits.
“Mr Holt will remain their ‘senior philanthropic advisor’ helping to manage humanitarian trips abroad,” he said.
Addressing whether the move could open the door to more UK visits by Prince Harry, Mr Fitzwilliams pointed to security considerations and public opinion.
James Holt, an executive director at Archewell, pictured with Prince Harry in 2022 | GETTY
“The latest YouGov poll in October had Harry’s popularity in the UK at 28 per cent and Meghan’s at 18 per cent,” he said.
“This could mean she does not return, especially with the press so hostile too, but his request for a security review may well mean he gets the full-time police protection that he had when a senior working royal.”
Mr Fitzwilliams added that such a development “undoubtedly would lead to more visits to the UK by him”, possibly including future appearances connected to the Invictus Games.
For now, neither Prince Harry nor Meghan has announced plans for an extended UK stay, but Mr Holt’s relocation and ongoing advisory role have renewed debate over whether a limited Sussex return to Britain could be on the horizon.