Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan, and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, marking their return after six years in the United States. The family landed at Birmingham International Airport around noon local time following a private flight from California, according to multiple media reports and publicly available flight-tracking data.
The Sussexes will reside in a private residence outside London, with their children enrolled in British schools set to begin classes in September. Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles III was informed of the move three days prior to its public announcement, though no further details about the family’s living arrangements or duration of stay were disclosed.
King Charles III to embark on autumn Caribbean tour
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to undertake a nine-day official tour to the Caribbean from October 27 to November 4, visiting Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, and Guyana. The trip will include a state visit to Guyana to commemorate 60 years of bilateral relations between the UK and the host country. Queen Camilla will accompany the King for the Antigua and Barbuda leg of the tour, which coincides with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2026. Charles will travel solo to the Bahamas and Guyana, where he previously visited in 1973 and 2000, respectively. The tour aims to celebrate communities, cultures, and nature within the Commonwealth, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace.
Family to live outside royal residences
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed they will not resume royal duties and will not reside in a royal property. Their children, aged seven and five, have already been enrolled in schools in the UK, with their exact location and institution kept private. The couple previously stepped away from official royal roles in January 2020, citing a desire for financial independence and a balanced upbringing for their children. They have maintained homes in Montecito, California, and Portugal, though the duration of their stay in the UK remains unspecified.
Recent reconciliation efforts
Harry and Meghan met with King Charles III at his Highgrove home in July, their first visit in four years, following improved relations between the two. Harry has expressed interest in reconciling with his father, who is currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. However, relations with Prince William, heir to the throne, remain strained. The Duke of Sussex lost a 2024 legal challenge against a government decision to downgrade his security detail, a factor cited in his past reluctance to return to the UK.
Ongoing media speculation
Reports suggest Meghan may pursue an acting role, with unconfirmed discussions about a potential appearance in the third series of The Gentlemen. The family’s return has sparked renewed media attention, including coverage of Meghan’s entrepreneurial ventures, such as the recent launch of her As Ever Spiced Apple Butter product line.
The Sussexes’ move follows their 2020 decision to step back from senior royal duties, a period marked by public disputes with the royal family and media organizations. Their return occurs amid broader societal shifts in the UK, including economic challenges and political instability, which have reshaped public discourse since their departure.