Prince Harry and Meghan to Return to Britain With Children After Six Years in US

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are set to return to Britain with their two children later this month, six years after stepping back from royal duties and relocating to the United States.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to spend an extended period in Britain, moving from their California base to a private residence outside London with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The couple will remain non-working royals and are not expected to resume official royal duties or move into a royal residence. Their children are expected to begin attending school in Britain in September.

The unexpected move marks a major change for the Sussexes, who left Britain in 2020 and subsequently established a new life in California.

Their departure, popularly dubbed “Megxit,” was followed by years of strained relations with members of the Royal Family, as well as highly publicised criticism of the British media and royal institution.

Harry and Meghan’s decision to return comes after a series of developments suggesting a gradual thaw in Harry’s relationship with his father, King Charles III.

The couple recently visited Charles at Highgrove, where the King was able to spend time with his grandchildren. Reports indicate that Charles was supportive of having Harry and his family closer, although he was only informed of the planned move shortly before the news became public.

The move is nevertheless unlikely to signal an immediate reconciliation across the wider Royal Family.

Relations between Harry and his elder brother, Prince William, remain strained following years of public criticism, interviews and revelations, including Harry’s memoir Spare.

Harry and Meghan have also previously raised concerns over security in Britain. Harry lost his automatic police protection after stepping back from royal duties and has since fought a legal battle over the security arrangements available to him when visiting the UK.

The couple’s return therefore comes with questions over their long-term security arrangements. UK authorities have not announced any special publicly funded protection package for the family, with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham describing the matter as private.

Despite their return, the Sussexes are not abandoning their life in the United States entirely. They are expected to retain their California home, while Meghan will continue her business activities and Harry will maintain his involvement with charitable causes.

The decision to educate Archie and Lilibet in Britain is perhaps the clearest indication of the family’s deeper connection to the country they left six years ago.

For Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, the move will represent their first extended period living and attending school in Britain. Lilibet was born in California after her parents had left the UK, while Archie was born in London in 2019.

The return is also likely to generate intense media interest, particularly given Harry and Meghan’s long-running criticism of the British press.

However, royal commentators say the couple may be better prepared for the scrutiny this time, with their decision reportedly centred on family, education and maintaining stronger ties to Britain rather than returning to royal service.

Whether the move leads to a deeper reconciliation between Harry and the Royal Family remains uncertain.

For now, the Sussexes are preparing to establish a renewed presence in Britain while maintaining their independent lives and status outside the working monarchy.