Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are heading back to Britain — kids in tow. Six years after stepping down as senior working royals and decamping to California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are relocating their family to the United Kingdom for an extended period.
News broke of the move in August 2026, with multiple outlets reporting that Harry and Meghan had already enrolled son Prince Archie and daughter Princess Lilibet in a local British school in time for the fall semester.
Harry and Meghan did not immediately address the reported move, and representatives did not respond to Us’ requests for comment.
Harry and Meghan, who got married in 2018, stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, briefly relocating to Vancouver, Canada, before settling in Montecito, California. Harry subsequently filed multiple legal appeals seeking enhanced security in the U.K., all of which were unsuccessful.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the Sussexes’ relocation:
A Major Reversal for Harry
The family’s relocation marks a striking shift from Harry’s stated position after losing a court appeal in 2025.
“I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point,” Harry told the BBC in May 2025. “I love my country, I always have done, despite what some people in that country have done.”
Meghan’s Past Hesitation
Meghan had her own reservations about returning to England. In a 2022 profile published by The Cut, the Suits alum explained why she doubted she could handle everyday parenting tasks in the U.K. under public scrutiny.
“I have a problem with that,” she said of being unable to quietly pick up her kids from school. “That doesn’t make me obsessed with privacy, that makes me a strong and good parent protecting my child.”
Meghan told the outlet that she personally handled school dropoff and pickup in California.
The Clues Were There
An early signal of their mindset shift may have come during Harry’s September 2025 appearance at the WellChild Awards in London. Singer Joss Stone told Hello! that Harry chatted with her backstage about raising children in England.
“He was saying how wonderful the schools are here and how important community is for children,” Stone recalled, addressing her own decision to move home to Britain. “It was nice to share that with him because it’s exactly why [my husband and I] felt drawn to come back — for the kids to grow up surrounded by family, friends and a strong sense of belonging and most importantly in a safe environment.”
What the Move Means
Amid their return to England, Meghan is expected to continue running her lifestyle brand, As Ever, while Harry plans to spend more time supporting U.K.-based charities and patronages. The couple will also retain their Montecito, California, residence and a vacation home in Portugal.
Us further understands that Harry and Meghan are not expected to resume their royal duties after their 2020 step-down.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Speaks Out
The British prime minister addressed the couple’s announcement, telling the BBC in August 2026 that the family’s security is a “private matter.”
“It’s a matter for Harry and for Meghan,” he said. “We wish them well in the move that they are making.”
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
