The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are relocating from California to the UK this month for an extended stay, with their two children set to begin school there in September, marking a significant shift after six years abroad.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to move back to Britain this month with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, according to reports from People magazine and The Telegraph on Wednesday. The couple will remain in the country for an extended period, with plans for their children to enrol in British schools in September. A source close to the couple confirmed the accuracy of the reports, though neither Harry's spokesperson nor Buckingham Palace issued official statements.
The relocation marks a notable development in the couple's relationship with the royal family. According to The Telegraph, they will not reside in a royal residence and will maintain their status as non-working royals, consistent with arrangements made when they departed in March 2020. This month's move follows a recent visit to Britain when King Charles spent time with his grandchildren for the first time since 2022, suggesting a partial thawing of relations. The king only became aware of the couple's return plans on Sunday.
The Sussexes initially stepped down from official royal duties six years ago and relocated to Montecito, California, where they purchased a 16-bedroom home for approximately $14.7 million. In the intervening years, Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, have made critical public statements about the royal family through television interviews, a Netflix documentary series, and Harry's memoir "Spare," which contained particularly pointed remarks about King Charles and Prince William. However, Harry indicated that security concerns had previously prevented him from bringing his children to Britain.
While the king has welcomed the possibility of closer contact with the Sussexes, Prince Harry remains largely estranged from his elder brother, the heir to the throne. The planned extended stay represents a significant shift from the couple's residence in the United States.
