Prince Harry and Meghan are making a return to the United Kingdom along with their children, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The initial reports were published by The Telegraph and The Sun. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accompanied by their children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, will be transitioning to private life while residing in the UK. Although the specific timeline for their return was not officially disclosed, media sources suggest it will be in time for the children to commence school in September.
Harry and Meghan had previously stepped back from their royal duties and departed the UK in March 2020, subsequently settling in California after a brief stay in Canada. This decision stemmed from escalating tensions with the Royal Family following the couple’s public criticisms of the monarchy and familial relations. Harry expressed discontent with the British government’s alteration of his security arrangements, citing concerns about the absence of automatic police protection for his children during visits to Britain.
Despite the rift, Harry emphasized in an interview with The Late, Late Show with James Corden in February 2021 that he never intended to “walk away” from his responsibilities. In a separate legal matter, Harry was involved in a privacy lawsuit against the publisher of The Daily Mail, which he ultimately lost in July. Following the verdict, Harry labeled the outcome as a “complete and obvious whitewash” and condemned the court’s decision.
In a noteworthy development, there are signs of a reconciliation between Harry and the Royal Family, particularly with King Charles. Relations between them began to thaw last September, with the King meeting his son for the first time in nearly two years. The family’s recent visit to Britain in July facilitated a reunion between King Charles and his grandchildren, marking their first encounter since 2022. The Palace disclosed that the King was informed of Harry’s relocation plans and expressed eagerness to engage more with the Sussex family on a personal level.
Amidst these family dynamics, King Charles faced health challenges after being diagnosed with cancer in early 2024. Following successful treatment, Buckingham Palace announced a shift to a precautionary phase in December, noting the King’s positive response to medical interventions.