Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to return to California 'without a peace deal' following 'efforts on both sides'

232Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are due to return to their Montecito home without having brokered a 'peace deal' with the royal family following the death of the Queen, claims CBS host and friend of the couple, Gayle King.

After 12 unprecedented days following the death of Queen Elizabeth II there was hopeful speculation that the family would begin to heal from their rift - especially following the brother's surprise walkabout at Windsor Castle which lasted over an hour.

However, Gayle King a friend of the couple who was reporting on the death of the Queen for US network CBS has said that hopes of a reconciliation are unfounded as the pair are due to fly home to the States and their two young children, Archie and Lilibet later on Tuesday.

Chris Jackson

Speaking outside Westminster Abbey, King said 'there have been efforts on both sides to make this work.'

Adding 'Big families always go through drama, always go through turmoil. It remains to be seen - are they going to be drawn closer together or are they going to be drawn apart? I have no idea, i have no inside information on that, but i will tell you this: It was good to see Harry standing with his family'.

Meghan and Harry stayed at Frogmore Cottage at Windsor on the evening of Monday's funeral - but were reported to be heading back to California as soon as possible to be with Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, after two weeks away.

This comes as former Vanity Fair editor, Tina Brown, suggested that now was a good time for Prince Harry to build bridges with his brother, the Prince of Wales.

Speaking on breakfast television, Brown warned that 'unless he [Prince Harry] gives up his book and the tell-all documentaries there can be no trust. The Royal Family needs him, there's a lot of work to be done'