Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Reportedly Returning to the UK for Extended Period
London, UK – Six years after their high-profile relocation to the United States, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are reportedly set to return to the UK for an extended period, with their children, Archie (7) and Lilibet (5), enrolled in a British school for September. The news, initially reported by The Telegraph, suggests a significant shift for the couple who stepped back from royal duties in 2019.
Sources indicate that the family is expected to arrive in the UK by the end of August. While Prince Harry was already scheduled for a mid-September visit for his patron duties, including the WellChild Awards, the extended stay for the entire family marks a new chapter.
This development follows a recent reunion between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles, and Queen Camilla at Highgrove just last month. While the July meeting was reportedly warm, insiders suggest the couple did not disclose their plans to relocate at that time, despite the arrangements having been in motion for several weeks.
King Charles, 77, was reportedly informed of his son’s plans on Sunday and has welcomed the news warmly. It is understood that His Majesty is "naturally pleased for the opportunity to see more of his family on a regular basis, both in a private and professional capacity." However, the King has reportedly reiterated that the couple’s status as private citizens and non-working royals will remain unchanged, aligning with their original wishes when they left royal life. Crucially, the Duke and Duchess will not receive any financial support from the public purse.
Discussions regarding any potential future official roles for Prince Harry would need to occur directly between him and his father, with no "half-in-half-out" option being offered.
The family of four is expected to reside in a "private, non-royal residence," believed to be located outside of London. Both Archie and Lilibet will attend a nearby school. For security reasons, further details about their new home remain undisclosed.
The move comes after the couple were asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, a property gifted to them by the late Queen Elizabeth, in early 2023. This request reportedly left Prince Harry "furious" at the time.
Prince William, Harry’s estranged brother, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have also been informed of the impending return. The couple’s security arrangements in the UK have not been publicly disclosed, a point of past contention for Prince Harry who had previously expressed concerns about his family’s safety without police protection.
During their time in Britain, Meghan Markle will continue to manage her lifestyle brand, Archetypes, and "As Ever." The couple will retain their current residence in Montecito, California, purchased in 2020, as well as their holiday property in Portugal, acquired in 2023. While the immediate return is for an extended period, it is reportedly "yet to be decided" whether this will become a permanent move.
The return of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to the UK, particularly with their children now enrolled in a British school, is a significant development that is likely to generate considerable public interest and speculation about the future dynamics within the Royal Family. For more details on this evolving story, read the full report here.
