Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to return to the United Kingdom for an extended stay starting this fall, more than six years after leaving their roles as working members of the royal family and moving to the United States. The couple plans to live at a private residence outside London with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, while maintaining their home in California and a property in Portugal.
The move will bring the family closer to Britain while Harry and Meghan continue their independent activities. They will not resume their roles as working members of the royal family. The couple left royal duties in 2020 and later established their main home in California.
Why are Prince Harry and Meghan returning to the UK?
One of the main reasons for the move is the education of their children. Archie and Lilibet have already enrolled in British schools and are expected to begin classes in September.
The family will maintain its home in Montecito, California, as well as its property in Portugal. The return to Britain is therefore planned as an extended stay rather than a complete relocation from the United States.
Meghan is expected to continue running her company, As Ever, from the United Kingdom. Harry will also have more time to work with his UK-based charitable organizations.
The couple’s return does not represent a restoration of their former royal roles. Instead, it will allow them to spend more time in Britain while continuing their professional activities independently of the monarchy.
Will Harry and Meghan resume their royal duties?
Harry and Meghan will not return as working members of the royal family.
The couple stepped away from their royal duties more than six years ago. They subsequently moved to California and established independent professional projects.
Their decision to spend more time in the UK does not change their status within the monarchy. Buckingham Palace has a policy of not commenting on speculation involving non-working members of the royal family. A representative for Harry and Meghan also declined to comment.
The move could, however, increase Harry’s presence in Britain. It will give him more opportunities to work with UK-based charities and spend time with relatives.
What does the return mean for King Charles III?
Harry’s return could also create more opportunities for him to spend time with King Charles III.
Relations between Harry and members of the royal family have been strained since he and Meghan left their royal duties. Harry has nevertheless expressed an interest in reconciliation with his family, particularly so he can spend more time with his father.
Charles was informed of the couple’s plans on Sunday. Harry and Meghan also visited the UK last month, when they spent time with the king at his Highgrove estate. It was the first time Archie and Lilibet had seen their grandfather since Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The relationship between father and son has received additional attention because Charles is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. Harry has previously said he would like to rebuild his relationship with his family.
The latest move could give them more opportunities for private meetings and family time.
What about Prince William?
Harry’s relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains more complicated.
While Harry has recently met with his father, there are no clear signs of a similar improvement in his relationship with William, who is the heir to the British throne.
The brothers have remained distant following Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal duties and their subsequent public discussions about life within the royal family.
Harry’s return could therefore bring him physically closer to his family without resolving all of the disagreements between the brothers.
For now, the move represents a new chapter for Harry and Meghan. Their children will attend British schools, Harry will have more opportunities to work with UK-based charities and the family will spend more time in Britain.
At the same time, they will continue to maintain their homes and professional ties outside the UK. Their return is not a return to royal duties, but rather an extended stay that could change the family’s relationship with Britain and create new opportunities for contact with the royal family.
