Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly set to return to the UK later this month, six years after they stepped back from their roles as senior working members of the Royal Family and moved to the United States.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to relocate with their two children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, to a non-royal property outside London. The reported move would mark a major change for the family, who have lived in California since 2020, after initially settling in the United States following their decision to leave their official royal duties behind.

According to reports, Archie and Lilibet have already been enrolled at a British school and are expected to begin their education in September.

The reported relocation comes after a private reunion between Harry, Meghan and King Charles at Highgrove in Gloucestershire last month, which is understood to have provided an opportunity for the family to reconnect away from the intense public attention that has surrounded their relationship in recent years.

King Charles is reportedly supportive of having more opportunities to see his son and grandchildren, although the move does not represent a return to official royal duties for Harry and Meghan.

The couple will continue to live as private individuals and are not expected to regain their former positions as working royals.

HARRY AND MEGHAN'S RETURN TO BRITAIN

The reported decision to move back to Britain represents a significant development given the circumstances surrounding the couple's departure from the country.

Harry and Meghan announced in January 2020 that they intended to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work towards becoming financially independent. The couple subsequently moved to Canada before settling in California, where they have since built a life with their children and developed a number of commercial and charitable projects.

Their departure was formally discussed at the Sandringham summit in 2020, where the late Queen Elizabeth II rejected the possibility of the couple retaining a role that would have allowed them to operate between official royal duties and independent commercial work.

As a result, Harry and Meghan ceased using their HRH styles and no longer carried out official duties on behalf of the monarchy.

Their return to Britain therefore does not mean they are resuming their previous roles. Instead, the reported move appears to be centred around family life, with their children's education understood to be one of the key factors behind the decision.

The couple are also expected to retain their homes in California and Portugal, meaning their reported relocation to Britain does not necessarily signal the complete end of their life in the United States.

THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY

The news comes against the backdrop of years of tension between Harry and members of his family.

Since leaving the Royal Family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spoken publicly about their experiences within the institution, making a number of claims that have contributed to a significant deterioration in relations between Harry and his relatives.

One of the most notable moments came in 2021, when Harry and Meghan sat down for a highly publicised interview with Oprah Winfrey.

During the interview, the couple discussed their experiences as senior royals, including Meghan's struggles with her mental health and claims surrounding conversations about the potential skin tone of their future child. The interview generated a major international reaction and placed further strain on relations between the Sussexes and the wider Royal Family.

Harry later continued to discuss his relationship with his family in his 2023 memoir, Spare, which contained detailed accounts of his childhood, his relationship with his brother Prince William and his experiences within the monarchy. The book became one of the most talked-about royal publications in recent years, with several revelations intensifying the already difficult relationship between the brothers. Harry has nevertheless indicated that he would like to repair those family relationships.

Following his legal battle over security arrangements in Britain, he told the BBC in 2025 that he wanted reconciliation with his family and believed there was little value in continuing the conflict.

“I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious.”

He also said he had forgiven members of his family following years of disagreements. The reported return could therefore provide Harry with greater opportunities to spend time with his father, although his relationship with his brother remains considerably more complicated.

PRINCE WILLIAM REPORTEDLY INFORMED OF THE MOVE

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are understood to have been informed about Harry and Meghan's plans.

William and Harry have remained estranged following the breakdown of their relationship, with Harry's public comments about his brother and other senior royals contributing to the continuing tension. Reports suggest the return could create a difficult situation within the monarchy, particularly because William remains the heir to the throne.

“In the long term, the return of the Sussexes to the UK opens up the prospect of two rival courts, William’s and Harry’s. In the short term, Harry will be able to deepen his rapprochement with his father. And his presence back home will make it harder for his brother to duck a reconciliation." - Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt.

He also described the reported move as potentially leaving William “apoplectic”. The suggestion of competing royal circles reflects the wider concern that Harry and Meghan's return could bring renewed attention to the existing divisions within the Royal Family.

However, there has been no indication that Harry and Meghan are seeking to establish a rival royal household, and they are not expected to resume official royal responsibilities.

SECURITY REMAINS A KEY ISSUE

One of the most significant issues surrounding Harry's relationship with Britain has been security.

The Duke has repeatedly expressed concerns about bringing Meghan and their children to the UK without adequate police protection. Harry previously challenged the decision to change his security arrangements after stepping down as a working royal, arguing that the level of protection available to him and his family was insufficient.

In May 2025, after losing a legal challenge concerning his security, Harry said:

“I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.”

His position has made the reported decision to relocate with Meghan and their children particularly significant. Details of the family's future security arrangements have not been disclosed, with the Home Office maintaining that it does not publicly discuss specific protective arrangements.

A Home Office spokesperson said:

“The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.”

“It is our longstanding policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”

The question of security is therefore expected to remain an important consideration as the family prepares to spend significantly more time in Britain.

THEIR CONTINUED WORK OUTSIDE THE ROYAL FAMILY

Although Harry and Meghan will reportedly be returning to Britain, they are not abandoning the independent careers they have established since leaving royal life.

The couple signed a major multi-year deal with Netflix in 2020, reportedly worth around $100 million, which led to a number of projects including their documentary series Harry & Meghan and Meghan's lifestyle programme With Love, Meghan.

The couple later renewed their relationship with the streaming platform through a fresh multi-year film and television deal. Harry and Meghan have also continued their charitable work, with both remaining involved in causes and organisations connected to issues they have highlighted throughout their public lives.

Their commercial and charitable activities have allowed them to maintain a public profile outside the traditional structures of the monarchy. Their reported move to Britain is therefore expected to happen alongside their existing commitments rather than replacing them.

WHY HARRY AND MEGHAN HAVE BEEN CONTROVERSIAL

The couple's return is likely to attract considerable attention because Harry and Meghan have remained divisive figures in Britain since their departure.

Their decision to speak publicly about their experiences within the Royal Family has created supporters who believe they were right to tell their story, while critics have accused them of repeatedly damaging the monarchy and publicly discussing private family matters.

Their Oprah interview, Harry's memoir and a number of television and media projects have all kept their disagreements with the Royal Family in the public eye.

Harry has also pursued several legal cases in Britain, including challenges involving his security and claims relating to alleged unlawful information gathering by sections of the British press.

In July 2026, Harry and several other claimants lost a privacy case against the publishers of the Daily Mail after a judge dismissed their claims concerning alleged unlawful information gathering. The continuing legal disputes have added another layer to the complicated relationship between Harry, the British media and the wider public.

Public opinion towards the couple has also remained mixed. A YouGov poll cited by The Guardian in July found that 22% of Britons held a positive view of Meghan, compared with 65% who viewed her negatively. Harry was viewed positively by 33% and negatively by 58%. Despite that, there have also been signs that some figures believe their return could ultimately help repair relationships within the Royal Family.

REACTION TO THE REPORTED RETURN

News of Harry and Meghan's reported plans has already prompted reactions online, with some people appearing pleased by the prospect of the family returning to Britain.

One person wrote:

“Our King and Queen!!”

Another appeared to defend their decision to come back, arguing that the couple should be free to return if they choose.

“They can return home if they like! It’s not like they were banished or anything. People should let them live!”

Others, however, remained concerned about the level of media attention that could follow Meghan once the family is back in Britain.

One person wrote:

“I love them but I don’t think this is a good idea. The media are just going to drive her to an early grave, I can just see it.”

The differing reactions reflect the complicated public conversation that has surrounded the Sussexes since their departure from royal duties.

For some, their return is being viewed as an opportunity for Harry to reconnect with his father and for Archie and Lilibet to spend more time in the country where their father was born.

For others, their decision raises questions about whether returning to Britain could reignite the intense media scrutiny and family tensions that have followed the couple since 2020.

For now, the reported move is expected to take place later this month, with the family preparing for a new chapter in Britain while continuing to maintain their connections to the United States and Portugal.

While Harry and Meghan are not returning as working royals, their presence in the UK could nevertheless mark one of the most significant changes in their relationship with the Royal Family since they stepped away six years ago.