Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have confirmed their decision to relocate back to the United Kingdom with their children, Prince Archie, aged 7, and Princess Lilibet, aged 5. The move, announced by Buckingham Palace, is in line with their intention to live as private citizens.
Although the exact timeline for their return to Britain has not been officially disclosed, media reports suggest that it will be in time for their children to commence school in September. Harry and Meghan had previously stepped down from their full-time royal obligations in March 2020, subsequently moving to California after a brief stay in Canada.
The decision to move back to the UK comes amidst strained relations with the Royal Family, following public criticisms of the monarchy and the family itself. Particularly, Harry’s remarks about his father and elder brother, Prince William, led to a significant rift in their relationship. In a candid interview on “The Late, Late Show with James Corden” in February 2021, Harry cited the challenging environment as a key factor in their relocation.
Moreover, Harry expressed frustration over changes in his security arrangements by the British government, highlighting concerns about the lack of automatic police protection for his family during their visits to Britain. Despite these challenges, he emphasized that he never intended to abandon his royal duties.
In an unrelated matter, Harry was involved in a privacy lawsuit against The Daily Mail, which he ultimately lost along with other prominent British figures. The lawsuit, which alleged intrusive behavior by the newspaper, was described by Harry as a disappointing outcome but not entirely unexpected.
On a more positive note, relations with King Charles seem to be improving, as evidenced by a recent meeting between father and son after a 20-month gap. The entire family’s visit to Britain in July allowed King Charles to reunite with his grandchildren, marking a significant step towards reconciliation.
The news of Harry and Meghan’s relocation was welcomed by the King, who expressed his eagerness to spend more time with the Sussex family in a personal capacity. King Charles, who underwent treatment for cancer in early 2024, has shown positive progress, with doctors transitioning his treatment to a precautionary phase due to his exceptional response to therapy.