Prince Harry's Cousin Lady Eliza Spencer Reacts to His UK Return: "Excited"
Lady Eliza Spencer, Prince Harry's first cousin and niece of the late Princess Diana, has become the first family member to speak publicly about Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the UK — and her reaction was warm and brief.
Speaking to The Mirror at a launch event for her Lala V rosé brand, the 34-year-old said she was "excited" about the couple's return, adding: "We would love to be able to find some time to visit" (Hello!). Us Weekly separately reported that Lady Eliza is "thrilled" about the move (Us Weekly).
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived back in the United Kingdom on Wednesday 26 August 2026, landing in Birmingham, England, according to reports (InStyle; CNN). They travelled with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. The family stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and are now returning after six years in the United States, having enrolled Archie and Lilibet in British schools.
Lady Eliza is the daughter of Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, and his first wife Victoria Aitken. She was five years old when Princess Diana died in 1997. She and her siblings — Lady Kitty, Lady Amelia and Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp — attended Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018.
The Spencer connection runs deep. In July, Prince Harry stayed with his uncle Charles Spencer at Althorp House, the Spencer family seat in Northamptonshire, and took Meghan and the children to visit Diana's grave on the grounds (Hello!). Althorp has been the Spencer family home since 1508 and is where Diana is buried on an island in the Oval Lake.
When asked whether she might swap wine-making tips with Meghan, who launched her own lifestyle brand in the US, Lady Eliza replied with a single word: "Maybe!" (Hello!).
Meghan has already been seen settling back into British public life. On Friday 7 August 2026, she and Harry stepped out for an evening event where Meghan wore a strapless navy gown and Princess Diana's earrings (Hello!).
Lady Eliza's comments came from an in-person interview at the Lala V launch event, not from a podcast or social media post (Us Weekly). They mark the first public remarks from any member of the wider Spencer or royal family circle since the Sussexes' return became known.
