Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are preparing to relocate to the United Kingdom, marking an end to their residency in California more than six years after moving to the United States.
King Charles III was notified of the couple's decision on Sunday. Prince William and Princess Catherine were also informed of the upcoming move. Despite their return, there are currently no plans for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to resume any official royal duties.
The couple originally announced in January 2020 that they would step away from their "senior" roles within the royal family to work toward becoming financially independent. At the time, they released a statement explaining that a "geographic balance" would allow them to raise their son with an appreciation for the royal traditions of his birth, while providing their family with the space to focus on their next chapter, including the launch of their charitable foundation. Buckingham Palace later confirmed in February 2021 that the pair would no longer serve as working members of the royal family.
The family's relocation comes as their two children, Archie, born in 2019, and Lilibet, born in 2021, are enrolled to begin attending school in the United Kingdom this coming September.
The decision to step back from royal life and establish a home in California has historically caused significant tension within the royal family. These strains intensified following Harry and Meghan's high-profile 2021 television interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they detailed their internal struggles with the institution.
During that interview, Meghan shared that there had been conversations during her pregnancy regarding "how dark" Archie's skin color might be, and recounted discussions about why he would not receive the title of prince or be provided with security. Harry also expressed his feelings during the broadcast, stating he was "disappointed" with his father, King Charles III, and noting that he and his brother, Prince William, were "on different paths."
Last month, Harry, Meghan, and their children traveled to the U.K. and met with King Charles for the first time in years. However, the family's planned relocation was not discussed during that visit. The trip itself was preceded by controversy, as reports indicated Harry had reconsidered bringing his wife and children because British authorities rejected his request for taxpayer-funded police protection. This followed a 2024 legal setback in which the Duke of Sussex lost a court battle challenging the government's decision to downgrade his security detail during visits to the U.K. after stepping down from official duties.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.