Meghan Markle and Prince Harry verbally scolded by Donald Trump after leaving US for new life in UK

Donald Trump has scolded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, declaring he was “happy” to see the couple return to the UK.

The US President was asked about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

He said he “was not a fan” and was “happy” to hear the couple had left the US and returned to Britain, before turning his attention to Prince Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family.

Mr Trump spoke warmly of his own connections with the late Queen Elizabeth II and Kind Charles, saying he had known the King for many years.

“Look, I had a very good relationship with the Queen, really good, I got to know her very well,” he said.

The President went on to praise the King as a “great guy” while criticising Meghan’s treatment of the royal family.

“I knew him as Prince Charles and King Charles. I’ve known him for a long time, he’s great, (a) great guy and I thought they (Meghan and Prince Harry) treated the royal family with great disrespect,” he said.

“I didn’t like it, I didn’t like the way she acted. I thought she was terribly disrespectful to the Queen, to King Charles and, I don’t know, maybe I’m different, I wouldn’t have taken them back.

“If I were the royal family, I would not have taken them back.”

Prince Harry and Meghan stepped away from their senior royal roles in 202 and subsequently established their lives in Montecito, California.

Their decision to leave the royal fold was followed by a series of public interviews and statement about their experiences within the monarchy.

Mr Trump has a history of making critical remarks about Meghan. Public friction between the two dates back to before the Duchess’ married into the royal family when she criticised Mr Trump during the US Presidential campaign in 2016.

Meghan labelled Mr Trump “divisive” and “misogynistic” during that campaign. She also said she would consider moving to Canada if he won the election.

When told Meghan had previously spoken negatively about him, the President said he was not aware of the remarks.

“No, I didn’t know that she was nasty,” he replied.

Mr Trump also appeared unfazed when he was told her Meghan’s threat to leave the US if he won the election in 2016.

“A lot of people are moving here,” he added.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex flew into Britain on a private jet with Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, on August 26. The family left behind their California life after spending their finals days in Montecito with close friends and family.

A return to royal duties will not be on the cards for the couple, with King Charles indicating the couple will maintain their private lives to continue pursuing charity work and independent careers.

Meghan and Prince Harry are understood to have enrolled Archie and Lilibet into a British school with the details of remaining private.