Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are returning to the United Kingdom with their children, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will be residing in the UK as private individuals. Although the exact date of their return is not confirmed, reports suggest it will be in time for the children to commence school in September.
The decision to move back comes after Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties and left the UK in March 2020. Following a brief stay in Canada, they settled in California later that month. Their relationship with the Royal Family had soured due to their public criticisms of the monarchy, leading to a strained relationship, especially with Prince William and Prince Charles.
In an interview in February 2021 on The Late, Late Show with James Corden, Harry expressed the challenges they faced and his determination to protect his family. He also highlighted his disappointment over changes in his security arrangements by the British government, which impacted their ability to bring their children to the UK. Despite these difficulties, Harry emphasized that he never intended to abandon his responsibilities.
Additionally, Harry was involved in a privacy lawsuit against The Daily Mail, which was dismissed in July. He had testified about the negative impact the media coverage had on Meghan. Following the court ruling, Harry criticized the decision, calling it a “whitewash” and expressing his disappointment with the outcome.
Relations between Harry and his father, King Charles, seemed to be improving as they met for the first time in 20 months last September. During a recent visit to the UK in July, the entire family reunited, and King Charles had the opportunity to meet his grandchildren. The Palace confirmed that the King is aware of Harry’s plans to relocate and looks forward to spending more time with the Sussex family in a personal setting.
King Charles, who had been undergoing treatment for cancer since early 2024, showed positive progress, prompting doctors to transition his treatment to a precautionary phase. The King’s health updates have been closely monitored, with Buckingham Palace confirming his positive response to treatment in December.
This significant decision by Prince Harry and Meghan to return to the UK marks a new chapter in their ongoing journey as a family.