Harry and Meghan Plan Return to Britain After Six Years in the US

 

LONDON — In a dramatic turn in the story of Britain's most famous royal exiles, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are reportedly preparing to move back to the United Kingdom with their two children after more than six years living in the United States.

The couple are expected to relocate from their home near Santa Barbara, California, to a private residence outside London, according to reports discussed by CNN. The move is reportedly being timed so that their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, can begin school in Britain in September.

The return marks a remarkable change of direction for Harry, who left Britain with Meghan in 2020 after stepping back from their roles as senior working royals.

A royal comeback — but not a return to royal duties

Despite the planned move, there is no indication that Harry and Meghan will resume their former royal duties.

CNN's royal correspondent Max Foster reported that Harry is not expected to return to an official role within the Royal Family. He is also not expected to live in a royal residence.

Instead, the couple are expected to establish their own private home somewhere outside London.

The move raises an obvious question: why return now?

One of the strongest factors appears to be their children's education. Archie and Lilibet are approaching school age, and Harry has previously spoken positively about British schools and the importance of community.

King Charles knows about the move

The decision reportedly came as a surprise even within the Royal Family.

According to CNN, King Charles was informed of the plan on Sunday. Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, were also made aware of the plans.

The development follows a private family visit to Britain last month, during which Harry, Meghan and their children met with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The visit was notably low-key, with little publicity surrounding the family's meeting.

That private encounter has fuelled speculation that relations between Harry and his father may be improving.

What about Harry and William?

The biggest question surrounding the return may not be where Harry and Meghan will live, but whether Harry and his older brother, Prince William, can repair their deeply damaged relationship.

The brothers were once extremely close, but their relationship deteriorated dramatically after Harry and Meghan stepped away from royal duties and subsequently spoke publicly about their experiences within the Royal Family.

Harry's memoir, Spare, as well as the couple's Netflix documentary, revealed deeply personal details about the family.

CNN's royal commentators say there is still little indication that Harry and William have reconciled.

William is now the heir to the throne, while Harry remains outside the official line of working royals. According to CNN, there is also no expectation that William would support Harry returning to an official royal role.

Harry once said he could not imagine returning

The planned move is particularly striking because Harry himself once ruled out returning to Britain as a full-time member of the Royal Family.

In a 2023 interview, he was asked whether he could imagine returning as a full-time royal.

His answer was simple: “No, I can't see that happening.”

At the time, Harry also spoke about wanting to repair his relationship with his father and brother.

“I look forward to having that family element back,” he said, expressing a desire to rebuild those relationships.

Three years later, his decision to move back to Britain suggests that his circumstances and priorities may have changed considerably.

Security remains a major question

The return also raises questions about security.

Harry has spent years arguing that he and his family need adequate protection when visiting Britain. His legal dispute with the British authorities over his security arrangements has been one of the major obstacles to his frequent return.

According to CNN, it remains unclear whether there has been any significant change to those arrangements.

That could make choosing a home particularly complicated.

The Sussexes are expected to seek a private property outside London that can provide the level of security and privacy they have become accustomed to in California.

Meghan's relationship with Britain will face another test

For Meghan, the return could be equally significant.

Her relationship with the British press was one of the major sources of tension during her time as a working royal. Harry has repeatedly criticised sections of the British media, blaming them for contributing to the breakdown of his relationship with the Royal Family.

Returning permanently would put Meghan back in the environment from which the couple once sought distance.

The difference this time is that they would not be returning as working royals.

They would be living in Britain as private citizens with royal titles.

A family divided — but moving closer

The Sussexes' return does not necessarily mean a royal reconciliation.

Harry is not expected to regain his former royal role, and there is little evidence that the deep rift between him and William has been healed.

But physically moving back to Britain could create opportunities that have been impossible while the family was separated by thousands of miles.

It could also allow Harry to spend more time with his father, King Charles, whose health has become an increasingly important consideration within the Royal Family.

For a family that has experienced years of public disputes, private grievances and separation, the move could represent a tentative new chapter.

From “Megxit” to a new beginning?

Six years ago, Harry and Meghan's decision to leave Britain was labelled “Megxit” by sections of the media.

They moved to North America, stepped away from royal duties and began building a new life outside the institution.

Now, in an extraordinary reversal, the couple are preparing to cross the Atlantic in the opposite direction.

They are not returning to Buckingham Palace.

They are not expected to resume official royal duties.

And they are certainly not returning to the Royal Family they left behind unchanged.

Instead, Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet appear set to build a new life in Britain — one that could bring them closer to the Royal Family while keeping them firmly outside its official working structure.

After six years away, Britain's most controversial royal family may finally be coming home.