Reports have surfaced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, also known as the Duchess of Sussex, have been forging a close bond with Geri Halliwell-Horner, formerly of the Spice Girls, and her spouse Christian Horner. This budding friendship coincides with Harry and Meghan’s anticipated relocation back to the UK.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, reportedly, are cultivating a new friendship with Geri Halliwell-Horner—ex-Spice Girl—and her husband, Christian Horner, against the backdrop of their planned return to Britain.
During their July trip to the UK, Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, were said to have enjoyed a luncheon at Geri and Christian’s lavish Grade II-listed Old Vicarage in the Cotswolds, valued at £9.2 million, as detailed in a report by the Daily Mail.
Geri, 54, and Christian, 52, are said to have discussed life in Britain with the Sussexes as Harry and Meghan considered where they and their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, could live.
The Sussexes are expected to relocate to Britain later this month, although they will remain non-working members of the royal family.
“Christian has also had a number of conversations with Harry. They are friends.”
The source added: “Geri is absolutely buzzing about the relationship – and she’s loving being involved from the inside in their return to UK.
“Christian is a bit more circumspect – less overawed.
“But both of them are aware that the Sussexes will be relaunching themselves socially in a matter of days and they see themselves as potentially a key part of this new friendship group.”
Geri became internationally famous as Ginger Spice in the Spice Girls alongside Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm and Emma Bunton.
The group became one of the biggest pop acts of the 1990s, with hits including Wannabe, Spice Up Your Life and 2 Become 1.
Christian spent two decades as team principal of Red Bull Racing, overseeing a period in which the Formula One team won multiple drivers’ and constructors’ championships before he left the organisation in 2025.
Harry and Meghan’s apparent friendship with the couple has developed as the Sussexes make preparations for their return from California.
It was reported last week they intend to move back to Britain with Archie and Lilibet six years after stepping away from royal duties and relocating to North America.
The children are expected to attend school in Britain, while Harry and Meghan are set to live in a private property rather than a royal residence.
The couple are not returning as working royals.
King Charles, 77, is said to welcome the prospect of spending more time privately with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, but that Harry and Meghan’s status within the royal family will remain unchanged.
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The move follows a significant development in Harry’s relationship with his father.
Charles met Archie and Lilibet at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire in July, the first time he had seen the children in person since Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
Queen Camilla, 79, was also present.
The Sussexes’ relationship with the royal family has been strained since they left Britain in 2020.
Harry subsequently detailed disagreements with his relatives in his memoir Spare, while he and Meghan also discussed their experiences inside the monarchy in their interview with Oprah Winfrey and their Netflix documentary series Harry and Meghan.
The Cotswolds would represent familiar territory for the couple.
Harry and Meghan rented a farmhouse there after their 2018 wedding before moving to Frogmore Cottage, and recent reports have again linked them with the area as they prepare to establish a British base.
Their July trip also included the Highgrove reunion and a visit to the burial place of Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, at Althorp in Northamptonshire.
Recent reporting has said the couple will retain their Montecito mansion even after returning to Britain.
Geri has crossed paths with the royal couple’s world before.
There was speculation ahead of Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding the Spice Girls would attend, although Victoria was the only member of the group at the ceremony.
Geri also attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2020, which became Harry and Meghan’s final official engagement before they ceased being working members of the royal family.
The two couples also have connections through Princess Eugenie, 36, who has maintained a close relationship with her cousin Harry and is also friendly with Geri.