Prince Harry and Meghan moving back to UK later this month

Prince Harry and Meghan moving back to UK later this month

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning a return to Britain later this month, more than six years after relocating to the United States. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will move their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, into a private, non-royal residence located outside of London.

According to reports from The Telegraph and The Sun, Archie and Lilibet have already been enrolled in British schools and are expected to start in September. While the couple is relocating to the UK, they intend to retain their properties in Portugal and Montecito, California. Meghan is expected to continue managing her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from the new British base.

King Charles, who is currently living with cancer, was informed of the move on Sunday, three days before the news became public. While the King reportedly welcomes the chance to see his family in a personal and private capacity, the move is not expected to alter the couple's official status. They will remain private individuals and non-working members of the royal family, with no half-in-half-out arrangement offered regarding royal roles.

The relocation follows a period of prolonged estrangement between Prince Harry and his brother, the Prince of Wales. William and Catherine have remained distant since the 2020 Megxit crisis and subsequent accusations made by Harry against the King, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, including those detailed in his book, Spare.

Peter Hunt, a former BBC royal correspondent, suggested the news may have left William apoplectic and noted that the return could eventually create two rival courts, William’s and Harry’s. Hunt added that Harry's presence in the UK may make it more difficult for the Prince of Wales to avoid a reconciliation.

The announcement comes after a summer of security negotiations. In late June, Harry was awaiting a review by the Risk Management Board, which is part of the process used by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) to determine security requirements. A Home Office spokesperson stated on Wednesday that the government's protective security system is rigorous and proportionate, though they declined to provide specific details to avoid compromising security integrity.

The Home Secretary does not personally handle security for royal family members; instead, decisions are made by the Ravec committee, which consists of members from the Metropolitan Police, the royal household, and the Home Office. Decisions are based on expert risk assessments.

The Sussexes most recently visited the UK in July. Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet traveled to join Harry at the end of a week-long series of events promoting the Invictus Games. During that trip, the couple and their children met King Charles at Highgrove for the first time in four years, although it is not believed they discussed the permanent move at that time.

Public reaction to the u-turn has been divided. A YouGov poll from last month indicated that 65% of Britons hold an unfavourable opinion of Meghan, while 58% view Harry negatively. Only 22% of respondents saw Meghan positively, and 33% saw Harry positively.

Readers of The Telegraph expressed a range of views following the news. Some, such as reader E Hatfield, argued that the couple's treatment of the late Queen is unforgivable. Others, including reader Gareth Doodes, suggested Harry should be embraced as a prodigal son who has made mistakes but remains part of the nation's story.

The couple's history with the monarchy has been marked by volatility. After marrying in May 2018 and being viewed as part of the Fab Four, the couple announced in March 2019 that they would establish their own household. By January 2020, they announced plans to step back as senior royals. Following the Sandringham Summit, the late Queen ruled against a partial role, leading the couple to officially step down and cease using their HRH styles by March 2020.

The family's return precedes the 2025 Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham from July 10 to 27. The event is expected to host approximately 550 veterans and service personnel from 25 nations.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess has not yet commented on the reports.