Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to Britain with their children this August, according to local media reports.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will settle for an extended period at a private property located outside London that is not owned by the Royal Family. Their children, Archie and Lilibet, now aged seven and five, will begin attending a British school in September.
King Charles III was reportedly informed of the couple's plans on Sunday. According to reports, the monarch responded positively to the prospect of spending more personal and private time with his family.
Monarchy status and relocation history
The move comes more than six years after the couple decided to step back from their roles as active members of the Royal Family and leave the country. Despite their return to Britain, their official standing within the monarchy will remain unchanged. The couple will continue to be regarded as non-working members of the Royal Family and are not expected to resume official royal duties.
Prince Harry and Meghan originally relocated to the United States in March 2020 with their son Archie, who was less than a year old at the time. Their daughter, Lilibet, was born during their stay in California.
In British royal structure, non-working royals do not carry out official public engagements or represent the Crown at state events. Harry is the younger son of King Charles III, and Meghan is a former American actress who married into the Royal Family in 2018.
Royal reconciliations and Gloucestershire meeting
Family relations had remained strained in the years following the couple's relocation to North America. However, a visit by Harry and Meghan to King Charles and Queen Camilla last July served as a significant step toward improving relations between them.
Buckingham Palace described the encounter, which took place at the King's private residence in Gloucestershire, as a private family occasion. The meeting marked the first time in more than four years that King Charles had seen his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet in person.
The couple had not been seen together in Britain since 2022, when they travelled to the country to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Their move this August marks their first extended stay in Britain since stepping down from official duties.
