Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Jubilee appearance showed a 'deep rift' within the royal family, an expert said.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to the US after attending just one event for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Their appearance at the monarch's thanksgiving service in St Paul's Cathedral was a frosty affair, with Harry notably distant from his brother Prince William.
Harry and Meghan sat in the second row for the service, which Her Majesty was not able to attend due to experiencing discomfort during the previous day's celebrations.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams claims that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now "obviously outsiders" in The Firm.
He told the Express : "A deep rift with the royal family remains although a lot obviously went on behind the scenes to allow for their visit for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
"This follows their visiting the Queen before the Invictus Games began. It would benefit everyone if it could be healed and the royal family were united."
Mr Fitzwilliams said it was "unsurprising" that the royal couple had decided to renew their lease on Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, providing them with a UK "base".
Harry and Meghan had been expected to let the Frogmore Cottage lease expire after they left the UK for America, but they have committed to a new 12-month rolling deal.
Royal insiders believe the move could mean that the Sussexes plan to spend more time in Windsor.
One insider told the Sun: “It is quite a signal that they aren’t going to disappear. They could easily give up Frogmore as their life’s now in California.
“By agreeing to extend the lease, and with Jack and Eugenie focusing on Portugal, they have a firm presence smack bang in the middle of the Windsor court where it’s all happening. They can now come and go any time they please.
“The coming year could be one of the most tumultuous in royal history and the Sussexes are making sure they have a foothold in Windsor.”
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A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Frogmore Cottage remains the UK home of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
But Mr Fitzwilliams said he does not believe the Sussexes will make Britain their home.
He added: “It was only over a year ago that they carried out their last royal duties and their strained relations with the Cambridges were on show for the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
“Then came their interview on Oprah, which was so destructive and their behaviour, whilst having found freedom as they see it in California, has been unpredictable to put it mildly.
"Their relations with the Cambridges remain distant. Their popularity ratings in Britain are dire. Harry’s memoir is supposedly due out later this year and there is a reported 'fly on the wall' documentary series for Netflix, though details are unclear.
"Their future obviously lies in the United States, but with periodic trips to Britain if relations with the royal family improve and if Harry is satisfied with security."
He said: "Their future obviously lies in the United States, but with periodic trips to Britain if relations with the royal family improve and if Harry is satisfied with security."
