Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are preparing to return to Britain later this month with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in a move that marks a significant change for the family six years after they stepped away from royal duties and established their main home in the United States. Reports say the family plans to spend an extended period in Britain while maintaining their homes overseas.
The couple are expected to establish a private residence outside London rather than move into a royal property. Their return will therefore not represent a restoration of their former positions within the monarchy. Harry and Meghan stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020 and subsequently relocated to California, where they developed independent careers and commercial projects away from official royal duties.
One of the most significant aspects of the move concerns their children. Archie, aged seven, and Lilibet, aged five, are expected to attend school in Britain from September. The children have spent most of their lives in the United States, making the decision to establish a British base an important development for the family's future and their connection with Harry's home country.
The announcement comes after years of strained relations between Harry and several members of the Royal Family. His departure from royal duties was followed by highly publicised interviews, a memoir and legal disputes with British newspapers. Those developments deepened tensions, particularly between Harry and his brother, Prince William. However, relations between Harry and his father, King Charles III, have shown signs of improvement in recent months, including a private meeting earlier this year.
The family's return also comes against the background of Harry's long-running concerns about security in Britain. His legal efforts to secure police protection for himself and his family have been a major issue since he ceased to be a working royal. The question of security could remain an important consideration as the family prepares to spend more time in the country.
Despite the move, there is no indication that Harry and Meghan intend to resume official royal responsibilities. Their arrangement remains that of non-working members of the wider Royal Family, allowing them to maintain their independent public and professional activities. Their return is therefore better understood as a change in where the family will spend part of its time rather than a return to frontline royal life.
The decision is likely to attract considerable public attention in Britain and internationally. After years of living in California and building a separate life, Harry and Meghan's renewed presence in the UK could create opportunities for greater family contact while also bringing renewed media scrutiny. For now, the move represents a new chapter for the Sussex family one that reconnects their children with Britain without reversing the decision that took them away from official royal duties in the first place.