Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are making a return to the United Kingdom along with their children, as officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The initial reports of their relocation were disclosed by The Telegraph and The Sun. The couple, along with their kids Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, will be residing in the UK as private individuals, as per the Palace’s statement. Although the exact date of their arrival was not disclosed, media speculations suggest it will be in time for the children to commence their schooling in September.
The decision to move back to the UK comes after Harry and Meghan stepped back from their full-time royal duties in March 2020 and subsequently left the country. They settled in California following a brief stay in Canada. The move was prompted by the couple’s strained relationship with the Royal Family, exacerbated by their public criticisms of the monarchy and family members. Particularly, Harry’s remarks about his father and elder brother, Prince William, led to a significant rift in their relationship.
In an interview on The Late, Late Show with James Corden in February 2021, Harry reflected on the challenges they faced within the Royal Family and expressed his determination to prioritize his family’s well-being. Despite the upheaval, Harry emphasized that he never intended to abandon his responsibilities.
Additionally, Harry was involved in a privacy lawsuit against The Daily Mail, which he lost along with other prominent figures in July. The lawsuit, centered on alleged intrusive behavior by the newspaper, was a source of distress for Meghan according to Harry’s testimony. Following the court ruling, Harry criticized the judgment as unjust and biased in favor of the media outlet.
However, a positive development in the family dynamic occurred in September when King Charles and Harry reunited for the first time in nearly two years. The family recently visited Britain in July, providing an opportunity for King Charles to meet his grandchildren after a prolonged period. The King, who battled undisclosed cancer in early 2024, responded well to treatment, prompting a shift to a precautionary phase as per Buckingham Palace statements last December. This news was welcomed by the King as an opportunity to strengthen personal ties with the Sussex family.