Prince Harry and Meghan Return to Britain With Children After Six Years in U.S.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have returned to Britain with their children, six years after stepping away from royal duties and relocating to the United States, according to the BBC.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly arrived privately from California on Wednesday. Their return follows last week’s surprise announcement that the family would relocate from Montecito to an area outside London for an extended period.

Their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are expected to begin school in Britain in September. Details about the family’s new residence and the children’s school remain private. Harry and Meghan will not live in a royal residence or resume official royal duties.

The Sussexes left Britain in 2020 after stepping down as working members of the royal family. They later settled in Montecito, California, where they built independent media and business ventures. They are expected to retain their California home.

King Charles reportedly learned about the family’s return shortly before the decision became public. Harry’s relationship with his father has improved recently, and a visit to Britain last month gave Charles an opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren for the first time since 2022.

However, tensions reportedly remain between Harry and his brother, Prince William. Relations between Meghan and some senior members of the royal family are also said to remain strained.

The reason behind the Sussexes’ decision to spend an extended period in Britain has not been officially disclosed. Speculation has ranged from their U.S. business prospects to Harry’s desire to reconnect his children with their British family.

Harry has previously emphasized wanting Archie and Lilibet to spend more time in Britain and develop a closer relationship with their grandfather. The issue has taken on greater significance as the 77-year-old King Charles continues cancer treatment.

A former senior royal aide suggested the move could simply reflect Harry’s desire to be closer to his father rather than business or financial considerations.

Harry and Meghan married at Windsor Castle in 2018 before their relationship with the wider royal establishment deteriorated. Despite returning to Britain, they will remain non-working royals under the arrangement established after their departure.