The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are preparing to relocate from the United States to Britain later this month, moving into a private residence outside London that has no royal affiliation, according to information understood by a national broadcaster. Their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are already enrolled to begin at a British school in September. King Charles was informed of the decision on Sunday, and there are currently no plans for either Harry or Meghan to resume duties as working members of the Royal Family.
According to the Telegraph, which first reported the story, the couple's return is being framed as an "extended period" beginning later this month rather than a permanent resettlement, and the newspaper suggests it could eventually pave the way for the Sussexes to take on some form of role again in future. GB News similarly reports that the King was told on Sunday of the couple's intention to return to Britain.
Will they keep their homes in the US?
Yes. Despite the planned move to Britain, the family intends to retain both their Montecito, California residence and their vacation property in Portugal while they establish a private base in the UK, according to People. The same report notes this would mark the family's first fixed home base in Britain since they surrendered the lease on Frogmore Cottage in 2023.
How does this fit with their recent UK visits?
The prospective move follows a summer of renewed contact between the Sussexes and the Royal Family. Harry, Meghan and their children visited King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House in July, their first joint UK visit since 2022, after earlier accepting an offer to stay at a royal estate during that trip. Those visits had themselves been preceded by uncertainty, with Harry initially expected to travel without Meghan and the children because of security concerns, amid broader speculation about family tensions and the prospects for reconciliation.
Why is this considered a significant shift?
People notes that the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and had been based in California ever since, meaning a return to Britain would represent the biggest change to their family's arrangement in six years. Metro similarly frames the move as coming after six years in the United States, describing it as an extended period expected to begin at the end of August. Earlier reporting in July from Page Six had suggested any return would be neither "permanent or imminent," indicating how the story has evolved in the weeks since.
What happens next?
The Sussexes are expected to relocate to Britain later this month, with several reports pointing specifically to the end of August, according to the Telegraph. Archie and Lilibet are due to start school in Britain in September, per People. The Telegraph adds that the couple are not currently planning to resume official working-royal duties, though it notes the extended nature of the stay leaves open the possibility of future developments.
Key Facts
- King Charles was informed of the planned move on Sunday.
- Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are enrolled to start school in Britain in September.
- The family will keep their Montecito, California home and Portugal vacation property, according to People.
- This would be their first fixed UK home base since giving up Frogmore Cottage in 2023.
- There are no current plans for Harry or Meghan to resume working royal roles, per the Telegraph.
