Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are returning to the United Kingdom with their children, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The decision to move back was initially reported by The Telegraph and The Sun. The royal couple will be relocating with their children, seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet, while maintaining their status as private citizens, according to the Palace. Although the exact timing of their return was not officially disclosed, reports suggest they aim to be in the UK in time for the children to commence school in September.
Harry and Meghan previously stepped back from their full-time royal duties and departed the UK in March 2020. Following a brief stay in Canada, they relocated to California later that same month. Their decision to move back to the UK comes amidst strained relations with the Royal Family, compounded by public criticisms of the monarchy and the family itself. Harry, in a February 2021 interview on The Late, Late Show with James Corden, expressed the challenges they faced and his determination to protect his family.
The couple’s relationship with the Royal Family deteriorated further due to Harry’s contentious remarks about his father and elder brother, Prince William, resulting in a breakdown in their communication. Additionally, Harry expressed frustration over changes in his security arrangements by the British government, which impacted his ability to ensure the safety of his children during visits to the UK. Despite these challenges, Harry emphasized that he never intended to abandon his responsibilities.
In a separate development, Harry was among several prominent figures in Britain who recently lost privacy lawsuits against the publisher of The Daily Mail in July, alleging unethical practices. Following the court’s decision, Harry denounced the ruling as a “complete whitewash,” highlighting his disappointment with the outcome.
On a more positive note, relations between Harry and his father, King Charles, seemed to be improving, with the two meeting briefly last September after a 20-month gap. The family’s recent visit to Britain in July allowed King Charles to reunite with his grandchildren for the first time since 2022. Buckingham Palace announced that the King was informed of Harry’s relocation plans and expressed eagerness to spend more personal time with the Sussex family.
King Charles, who battled an undisclosed form of cancer earlier in 2024, received successful treatment, prompting a transition to a precautionary phase as he responded well to medical interventions. This positive health update was shared by a Palace spokesperson in December.
