Prince Harry says he would have returned to the UK this year had it not been for coronavirus

Duke and Duchess of Sussex could spend ‘extended period of time’ in the country in 2021

The Duke of Sussex has said he would have already returned to visit the UK this year had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic.

Prince Harry spoke of his plans to return home in a surprise video call with rugby league players to celebrate the sport's 125th birthday.

Speaking from his home in Santa Barbara, which he shares with the Duchess of Sussex and their one-year-old son Archie, the duke vowed to fly home for the Rugby League World Cup in 2021.

“We've got a whole Rugby League World Cup coming next year,” he said.

“I definitely plan on coming back. I would have been back already had it not been for Covid.”

The duke, who is patron of the Rugby Football League, talked via video link to players, coaches and volunteers from the sport about what it means to them and led the group in a quiz as part of the celebrations.

“It can bring so many families together, bring so many people together,” Harry said.

“It doesn't matter whether you're in the stands, whether you're the groundsman, whether you're a player, whether you're a fan or whether you're a first-time watcher, every single person is bound by this family feeling.”

Prince Harry hosted a virtual quiz to celebrate the Rugby League's 125th birthday (Rugby League)

Harry’s comments come after Meghan Markle told activist Gloria Steinem that she was glad to be home in California.

The pair teamed up earlier in the week to discuss the importance of voting in the upcoming US election.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” Gloria told Meghan, to which the duchess replied: “Me, too, for so many reasons.”

Royal author Omid Scobie – who co-authored the biography Finding Freedom – recently claimed that the royal couple have “many reasons” to be based in the UK next summer.

”In March, we have the Invictus Games, which has been rescheduled, in the Hague,” he told The Heirpod podcast:

“In June, we have Trooping the Colour, which I imagine Prince Harry and Meghan would like to still be at, and July 1, we have the unveiling of the Princess Diana statue.”

He added: “I would not be surprised if we saw the Sussexes spend an extended period of time in the UK next year.”