Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are set to return to Britain with their two children, six years after stepping back from royal duties and relocating to the United States.
The couple plan to move from California to Britain later this month for an extended stay, with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, expected to begin school in the UK in September.
The move marks a significant change for the Sussexes, who left Britain in 2020 amid growing tensions with the royal family and intense media scrutiny. They subsequently settled in Montecito, California, where they pursued independent business and media ventures.
Despite their return, Harry and Meghan are not expected to resume official royal duties. They will live in a private residence outside London rather than a royal property and will retain their status as non-working members of the royal family.
King Charles III was reportedly informed of the couple’s decision on Sunday. The development comes after signs of renewed contact between Harry and his father, including a recent meeting during the family’s visit to Britain.
The return also brings Archie and Lilibet closer to their grandfather and other members of the royal family. The children have spent most of their lives in the United States and are now expected to begin their education in Britain.
Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family has remained strained since their departure. Their public interviews, documentary series and Harry’s memoir exposed deep disagreements within the family and drew renewed scrutiny of the British monarchy.
The couple’s decision to return is therefore likely to attract considerable attention, particularly given their previous criticism of royal life and the British media.
While their move is described as an extended stay rather than a formal return to royal duties, it represents the family’s most significant shift in living arrangements since leaving Britain in 2020.
