LONDON — Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are planning to move back to the United Kingdom, six years after stepping down as senior working members of the British royal family and relocating to the United States.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the couple are expected to return to Britain with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, while continuing to live as private, non-working members of the royal family.
Reports indicate that the family is expected to spend an extended period in the UK, with Archie and Lilibet reportedly set to begin school there in September. The Sussexes are also expected to maintain their home in California rather than completely severing their ties to the United States.
The move marks a significant development in the couple’s relationship with Britain and the Royal Family. Harry and Meghan married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May 2018 and welcomed their first child, Archie, in 2019.
In January 2020, the couple announced that they would step back from their roles as senior royals and pursue greater financial independence. They subsequently relocated to North America, eventually settling in Montecito, California.
Their departure was followed by a series of public revelations about their experiences within the Royal Family, including their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the 2022 Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan and Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare.
Despite the tensions, Harry has continued to visit Britain, particularly amid concerns about his father, King Charles. Recent reports indicate that the Sussexes have also spent time with the King, signalling some improvement in Harry’s relationship with his father.
The reported return, however, does not mean Harry and Meghan are resuming royal duties. A source told ABC News that they will remain private individuals and non-working royals, as they have been since their 2020 departure.
The development is likely to attract considerable attention, given the couple’s turbulent relationship with the Royal Family since their decision to leave Britain and establish a new life in the United States.
Credit:ABC News