Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, gave up public royal duties five years ago and much of what they have said and done since has shocked sources close to The Firm

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit public life in 2020 and moved to the US(Image: AP)

A fresh indication Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could return to the public duties – the “biggest hint yet” – has reportedly left royal sources “utterly bewildered”.

Much of what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said and done since they quit public duties five years ago is said to have astonished members of the Royal Household. These include their accusations of racism against unnamed members of the family and Meghan’s recent posting of a video which showed her “twerking” in the maternity ward before the birth of Lillibet.

Now sources close to the Sussexes have disclosed details about passport applications for both Prince Archie, six, and four-year-old Princess Lilibet. It is thought the applications include the titles HRH (His /Her Royal Highness) as well as the surname Sussex, and this is reportedly because Harry and Meghan want their kids to decide for themselves whether they want to become working royals, or stay out of public life when they get older.

This has been seen by some insiders as “the biggest hint” the Duke and Duchess may want to return to The Firm. Richard Eden, a royal reporter with the Daily Mail, writes in today’s edition: “The suggestion gives the biggest hint yet that they’re hoping to mend fences.

“And it raises the question: Could the Sussexes, who chose to give up boring old public duties to seek their fortune in the US, stage a return to the royal fold via their children?”

The original revelation was reported in The Guardian last week. The newspaper read: “The Guardian understands that Prince Harry wants to keep the HRH titles for his children so that when they grow older they can decide for themselves whether they want to become working royals, or stay out of public life.”

Insiders have reacted with shock and scepticism, following Harry and Meghan’s exploits and bombshells since moving to the US. Mr Eden writes: “‘I find this very hard to understand,’ one royal source told me this week… ‘Harry and Meghan apparently found official duties and life within the Royal Family unbearable, yet they want this for their children. It doesn’t make sense.’

“It’s true that the Sussexes have devoted much time and energy to publicising their unhappiness with royal life. It’s hard to forget Harry’s grin on a video as he described their ‘freedom flight’ to Los Angeles when they began their American adventure in 2020.”

Meghan last week spoke about possibly running a company with her daughter, Lilibet, in the future. However, a source recently told PEOPLE that Meghan is focused on the future and is “very business about it” while Harry reportedly has “one foot in the past”.