Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, are preparing to move back to the United Kingdom. Despite this return, they will not resume their duties as working members of the royal family. Reports from British media late Wednesday confirm this development.
Their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are set to begin attending British schools in September. This news comes from the Daily Telegraph, which first reported the story. The family plans to reside in a private home outside of London, distancing themselves from royal obligations.
Harry and Meghan left their royal roles and moved to California more than six years ago. They signed significant deals with Netflix and Spotify. However, their relationship with the royal family has deteriorated, although Harry is now interested in reconciliation, mainly to spend more time with his father, King Charles III. King Charles, currently undergoing treatment for an unspecified cancer, learned of their plans on Sunday. Their last visit to the UK did not include a discussion of their return.
Buckingham Palace has not addressed this news, maintaining a strict policy against commenting on non-working royals’ personal plans. A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan also declined to comment on the matter.
“I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore,” Harry stated in a BBC interview.
The couple has had a tumultuous relationship with the royal household. They moved to Montecito in Southern California, citing the challenges of royal life. They publicly criticized the royal institution for its handling of Meghan’s mental health and alleged racism during her first pregnancy. Meghan identifies as biracial, which added complexity to these accusations.
Further tension arose from Harry’s legal battles against British tabloids for privacy invasions. He has faced numerous legal defeats, including a recent case requiring him to cover substantial legal fees following a ruling.
Harry has also contested the British government’s decision against providing police protection during UK visits, arguing his family’s need for security due to their royal status.
Last year, after a legal loss over security, Harry indicated his desire to mend familial ties. He and Meghan recently returned to the UK for charity events, where they reunited with King Charles at Highgrove. It marked Archie and Lilibet’s first visit with their grandfather since 2022.
While Harry shows progress in re-establishing a bond with his father, his relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains strained. Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggested that William could be unhappy with the family’s return.
“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,” Hunt shared with the Press Association.