Meghan Markle Acting Role Withdrawn Amid UK Return, Royals Attend Church

The Royal Family presented a united front near Balmoral on August 23, with Princess Kate seen smiling as she attended a church service.

Prince William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, arrived for the service at Crathie Kirk with their eldest son Prince George. King Charles and Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and her husband Timothy Laurence, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, also attended. This gathering followed news that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, would be moving back to the UK after six years in the US.

It emerged last Wednesday that Harry and Meghan are returning as their children prepare to start new schools in the UK. King Charles arrived at the Aberdeenshire summer retreat last Tuesday. William and Kate have not publicly reacted to the news of Harry and Meghan’s return. The future king is estranged from his younger brother after Harry made accusations against him, his wife, the King, and Queen following his step back from royal duties.

Officials suggested the gathering was a longstanding annual tradition, though it was reported the family was holding a summit over the Sussexes' return. Meghan Markle's offer to star in Guy Ritchie's Netflix show "The Gentlemen" has been withdrawn, it emerged on August 23. Former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown stated on her "Fresh Hell" Substack that the casting was withdrawn due to intense backlash in the UK.

Brown had previously reported that the potential role was a key reason for the family's decision to return to the UK. The role would have marked Markle's first acting turn since marrying Prince Harry in 2018. The decision to move back was initially thought to be prompted by improved relations with King Charles after a meeting last month, but Charles was reportedly blindsided by the news last Sunday. The move is now believed to be due to a combination of factors, including developments in Meghan's acting career and the children's schooling.