PRINCE Harry has been left with a huge dilemma because of the late Queen’s determination to protect her family, a royal expert has claimed.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, is reportedly toying with the idea of making a Royal Family comeback after “losing his way” in the States.

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Meghan, Harry and the Queen pose for a picture at Buckingham Palace in 2018Credit: AFP

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King Charles and Harry watch as the coffin of the Queen is placed into the hearseCredit: AP

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Royal author Phil Dampier claimed the King would ‘like’ a reconciliationCredit: The Sun
Harry quit Britain in 2020 and jetted to California with his wife Meghan Markle where they now live with their two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.

The senior royals announced on Instagram their plan to “step back” from their duties and become financially independent.

The pair said they wanted to “carve out a progressive new role” while still supporting Queen Elizabeth.

But at a hastily convened summit at Sandringham in January 2020 the Queen’s decision was swift and final.

The wantaway couple were told there was no “half-in, half-out” role and that they could not have their cake and eat it as they were wished good luck in their new life.

Royal author Phil Dampier explained: “The late Queen Elizabeth made it very clear to Harry that you couldn’t be ‘half-in, half-out’ of the Royal Family.

“You couldn’t do a few jobs here and there when it suited you, and also commercialise what you were doing in America.”

Sunday will mark two years since Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle after a reign lasting 70 years.

And King Charles has stuck to the Queen’s wishes, although the royal expert claimed he would “like” a reconciliation.

Mr Dampier continued: “I think obviously the King would like to have a reconciliation with his son at some point.

“Not the least because he’d like to see more of his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet.

“He’s only met them once or twice and that is a very tragic situation.

“But until he’s a lot fitter, and feeling able to cope with situations that aren’t stressful to him, I don’t think we’re going to see much progress on that.”

It comes after shock claims that Harry is seeking guidance on a return to Britain — and to the Royal Family.

How the pain of Harry and Meghan’s exit defined the Queen’s final years

THROUGHOUT her reign and service, the Queen’s role was chiefly head of state while the Duke of Edinburgh was left to be head of the family.

But when Prince Harry and Meghan revealed on Instagram they were quitting royal duties to live in America, it was a crisis that required the Queen to be both.

At a hastily convened summit at Sandringham in January 2020 her decision was swift and final; the Sussexes can leave the family business but not have the trappings that come with being royal.

The wantaway couple were told there was no “half-in, half-out” role and that they could not have their cake and eat it as they were wished good luck in their new life.

In her statement the Queen thanked them for their “dedicated” work saying she was “particularly proud of Meghan”.

She added: “It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”

This new beginning was anything but peaceful for the Queen.

Because although the couple had quit royal service, they remained in the family.

As one palace insider put it: “They might no longer be working members of the Royal Family but they are not in exile.”

Leaving royal life and service to the crown and state was never a consideration or choice for the Queen.

She was catapulted into succession when her uncle Edward VIII quit royal service to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson in 1936.

Seeing the impact on her father scarred the Queen’s early years but she rose to dedicate herself to a life of service.

So in her mid-90s — forced to isolate in Windsor Castle as Covid-19 raged — the Queen was asked to step up and deal with this cross-Atlantic family crisis, again and again and again.

He has reportedly consulted his trusted former aides here after growing sick of the Hollywood reps he and Meghan employ.

Pals claim he feels he has lost his way and dislikes being overshadowed by her in public.

Meghan, 43, took centre stage during their visits to Nigeria in May and Colombia last month.

And those in Harry’s inner circle have noted that he seems to enjoy regular solo trips back to the UK, with Meghan refusing to set foot in the country.

I think obviously the King would like to have a reconciliation with his son at some point.

Phil Dampier

A source close to them told The Sun: “Harry is feeling more and more isolated in California, which is why he has been reconnecting with old friends back home.

“The Colombia trip also really highlighted how Meghan is comfortable stepping into the spotlight, while Harry cuts a very sulky, unhappy figure in the background.

“He wants to carve out a way back into royal life back in the UK and is seeking counsel from old friends and associates.”

Meanwhile Harry and William both attended the funeral service for their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes.

They were last in the same place together at King Charles’ coronation – where they sat separately and Harry made a quick exit.

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Glum Prince Harry, seen with smiling wife Meghan in Colombia, is moaning to pals he feels like ‘The Spare’ again in exile in the StatesCredit: Splash

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Harry wrote his memoir Spare about growing up in the shadow of heir to the throne WilliamCredit: AP

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The Duke is increasingly dissatisfied with life in CaliforniaCredit: Getty

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Harry is said to be seeking guidance on a return to Britain — and to the Royal FamilyCredit: Splash