Prince Harry and his spouse, Meghan, are returning to the United Kingdom with their children, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The initial reports came from The Telegraph and The Sun. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are relocating but will maintain a private citizen status, according to the Palace. Although the exact return date was not disclosed, media sources suggest it will be in time for the children to commence school in September.
Having stepped back from their full-time royal duties in March 2020, Harry and Meghan departed the UK and later settled in California after a brief stay in Canada. The decision to move back to the UK came amidst strained relations with the Royal Family, following public criticisms of the monarchy and family members. In an interview in February 2021 on The Late, Late Show with James Corden, Harry expressed the challenging circumstances that prompted their departure, emphasizing his responsibility as a father and husband to protect his family.
Harry also expressed frustration over changes in his security arrangements by the British government, which hindered his ability to bring his children to the UK. Despite these challenges, he clarified that he never intended to “walk away” from his duties.
In a legal setback, Harry was one of several prominent figures who lost privacy lawsuits against The Daily Mail’s publisher in July, where he testified about the distress caused to Meghan. Following the court ruling, Harry criticized the decision, calling it a “whitewash” and expressing disappointment in the court’s judgment.
Relations with the Royal Family appeared to be improving, with a meeting between Harry and his father, King Charles, after a 20-month gap. During a family visit to Britain in July, King Charles met his grandchildren for the first time since 2022. The Palace confirmed that the King was informed of the Sussex family’s relocation plans and welcomed the opportunity for more private interactions with them.
King Charles, who battled an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024, responded well to treatment, prompting a shift to a precautionary phase in December of the same year.