Prince Harry and his spouse, Meghan, have decided to return to the United Kingdom along with their children, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The initial reports about this relocation came from The Telegraph and The Sun. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accompanied by their children Prince Archie, aged 7, and Princess Lilibet, aged 5, will be residing in the UK as private individuals, according to the Palace. Although no specific date was provided for their return, media sources suggest that they aim to be back in time for the children to commence school in September.
Harry and Meghan chose to step back from their full-time royal duties and departed from the UK in March 2020. Shortly after leaving Canada, they settled in California. The decision to move back to the UK follows a period of strained relations with the Royal Family, stemming from public criticisms of the monarchy and the family. Harry’s comments, particularly directed at his father and elder brother Prince William, led to a significant rift within the family.
In a candid interview on The Late, Late Show with James Corden in February 2021, Harry expressed his challenges within the royal environment and his resolve to prioritize his family’s well-being. He highlighted concerns over security arrangements and the lack of police protection for his children in the UK. Despite the controversies, Harry emphasized that he never intended to abandon his duties as a member of the Royal Family.
Recently, Harry was involved in a privacy lawsuit against The Daily Mail, along with other prominent figures, which he ultimately lost in July. The lawsuit was based on allegations of unlawful behavior by the newspaper, with Harry stating that the media had caused distress to Meghan. Following the court’s decision, Harry criticized the ruling, describing it as biased and unwarranted.
Despite the past tensions, there have been signs of reconciliation within the family. Last September, King Charles and Harry met for the first time in nearly 20 months, marking a potential thaw in their relationship. During a recent visit to Britain in July, the entire family reunited, allowing King Charles to meet his grandchildren after a two-year gap. The King, who had been undergoing treatment for cancer since early 2024, received positive updates on his health status, prompting a shift to a precautionary phase in his medical care regimen. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King appreciated the opportunity to spend more time with the Sussex family in a personal and private setting.