Prince Harry and Meghan are reportedly moving back to the UK this month, with their children Archie and Lilibet starting British schools in September. The couple will reside in a private UK home, with King Charles informed of the plans.
Royal Relocation Confirmed
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are planning to relocate from the United States to the United Kingdom this month, according to multiple media reports published on Wednesday. Their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are enrolled to begin attending British schools in September, confirming an extended stay in the UK.
Private UK Residence
The couple will reside in a private, non-royal home outside London, sources confirmed to BBC News, The Telegraph, and other outlets. Buckingham Palace and a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A source close to the couple, however, confirmed the accuracy of the reports.
King Charles Informed
King Charles III was notified of the relocation on Sunday, according to multiple sources cited by BBC News, NBC News, and others. The King welcomed the opportunity to spend more time with his son and grandchildren in a private capacity, though no changes to Harry and Meghan’s status as non-working royals are expected. Prince William and Princess Catherine have also been informed of the plans.
Timeline and Background
Sussexes Step Back
In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step back from senior royal roles and seek financial independence. They relocated to Montecito, California, later that year, purchasing a 16-bedroom home reported to be valued at $14.7 million. Their departure followed years of public and private tensions with the royal family, which escalated after their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey and Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare.
Strained Relations and Reunions
The couple last visited the UK together in September 2022 for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. In July 2024, they met with King Charles at his private residence, Highgrove House, marking the first time the King had seen his grandchildren in person in over four years. Buckingham Palace described the meeting as a "private family occasion."
Children’s Education and Living Arrangements
School Enrollment
Archie and Lilibet are set to begin school in the UK in September, prompting the family’s relocation. The children have been enrolled in British institutions, though specific schools have not been publicly named. The move follows years of the family living in the US, where Archie was born in 2019 and Lilibet in 2021.
Private Residence
The Sussexes will not occupy a royal residence, according to reports from The Telegraph, BBC News, and others. Their status remains unchanged as non-working members of the royal family, a designation formalized in February 2021 by Buckingham Palace.
Security and Financial Independence
Security Discussions
Security arrangements for the family remain unresolved, a point of contention since their departure from royal duties. During their July 2024 visit, Harry’s request for police protection was reportedly denied, leading to a reconsideration of the trip. A UK Home Office spokesperson stated that security details are not disclosed publicly to protect individuals’ safety.
Meghan’s Ventures
Meghan is expected to continue running her lifestyle brand, As Ever, while living in the UK. The couple has emphasized financial independence since 2020, including through media deals and charitable initiatives.
Reactions and Implications
King Charles’s Response
Sources cited by BBC News, NBC News, and others indicate King Charles welcomes the opportunity to see more of his son and grandchildren privately. However, no changes to Harry and Meghan’s roles or titles are anticipated. The King’s cancer diagnosis, disclosed in February 2024, has not been linked to the family’s relocation.
Royal Family Dynamics
The move comes amid ongoing discussions about the Sussexes’ relationship with the royal family, including Prince William and Princess Catherine. While William and Kate have been informed of the plans, no public statements have been issued by them or Buckingham Palace regarding the relocation.
Key Dates and Developments
- January 2020: Harry and Meghan announce step back from senior royal roles.
- March 2020: Family relocates to Montecito, California.
- September 2022: Attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in the UK.
- July 2024: Meet with King Charles at Highgrove House; first in-person meeting with grandchildren in over four years.
- August 2024: Reports confirm relocation to UK this month; children enrolled in British schools starting September.