Harry and Meghan to Move Back to the UK This Month
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are relocating to the UK before the end of August, six years after they settled in California. King Charles was told of the plan on a Sunday; the news broke publicly the following Wednesday evening (Royal Central; BBC).
The King had just arrived at Balmoral for his annual summer stay when the reports surfaced (Royal Central). According to Sky News, he welcomes the prospect of seeing more of his family (Sky News). The Prince and Princess of Wales were also informed but have made no comment (Royal Central).
The timing is notable for what was not discussed. In July, the King and Queen Camilla hosted the Sussexes for afternoon tea at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. The relocation was not raised at that meeting (Royal Central).
Reports state the couple are returning to be closer to the King and to help their children, Archie and Lilibet, build relationships with the wider royal family (Page Six). The children have already been enrolled in British schools, according to reports (Royal Central).
The family will live outside London in a private, non-royal residence. They will retain their properties in California and Portugal (Royal Central). The arrangement is described as long-term, though no one has confirmed it is permanent.
One point is settled: Harry and Meghan will not return as working royals — the title for family members who carry out official duties on the monarch's behalf. They will continue as private citizens pursuing their own business interests (Royal Central; BBC). Harry is working towards next year's Invictus Games, the sporting event he founded for wounded service personnel. Meghan continues to run her company, As Ever (Royal Central).
The couple moved to California in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties (New York Times; NBC News). In 2023, the King asked them to vacate Frogmore Cottage, their UK base, following the publication of Harry's memoir Spare (People). Their return now means re-establishing a household in Britain without resuming the roles they left behind — a private family move, not a royal reappointment.
