Six years after leaving the United Kingdom and settling in the United States, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing a significant change in their family's lives. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to return to live in British territory in August, accompanied by their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
'They are not happy at all': Harry and Meghan's return shakes up the royals
Six years after leaving the United Kingdom and settling in the United States, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing a significant change in their family's lives. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to return to live in British...
The return, however, does not represent a resumption of official duties in the royal family. Harry and Meghan will remain non-serving members of the monarchy and must take up residence on a private property, outside of the royal estate.
- The chosen address has not yet been revealed.
- Archie and Lilibet are due to start the school year in the UK in September.
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The return, however, does not represent a resumption of official duties in the royal family. Harry and Meghan will remain non-serving members of the monarchy and must take up residence on a private property, outside of the royal estate. The chosen address has not yet been revealed.
Archie and Lilibet are due to start the school year in the UK in September. It will be the first British school experience for the children, who until now have studied in the United States.
The decision also highlights one of the most delicate relationships in the royal family: that of Harry and Meghan with Prince William and Kate Middleton.
William and Kate would be uncomfortable with return
Although King Charles III is seen as being in favor of getting closer to his son and the possibility of spending more time with his grandchildren, the reaction of the Prince and Princess of Wales would be much less enthusiastic.
Emily Nash, royal affairs editor at Hello! magazine, believes William and Kate are probably "not happy at all" about the prospect of the Sussexes living in the UK again.
"What is intriguing about this situation is the absolute silence coming from that side. And the interesting thing is that they are normally traveling at this time of year. I imagine they are not happy about it at all," he said.
For the expert, the more frequent presence of Harry and Meghan in the country could create a new dynamic for members of the royal family, especially after the public conflicts of recent years.
"It will be a huge challenge to see them suddenly back in the UK, emerging and acting publicly, if that is the path they choose to take. A lot has been said and done, causing damage to this relationship that seems almost irreparable," he explained.
Tensions between the brothers intensified after Harry and Meghan's departure from royal duties in 2020, and gained new chapters with interviews given by the couple and the publication of Harry's memoir, "Spare", in 2023. The relationship between the two continues to be highlighted as one of the main obstacles to a broader family reconciliation.
Charles III would have been informed before
According to information released by the British press, King Charles III was informed on Sunday about his son's plans. The change comes at a time of greater rapprochement between Harry and his father, after years of strained relations.
Emily Nash believes William and Kate must have also received the information before the plans became public.
“I can’t imagine a scenario where they would be welcomed with open arms. But it is to be expected that the king would have spoken to William about the matter, if he had been informed," he said.
"We believe the Welsh couple had advance warning. They didn't find out at the same time as the rest of the world, so they had time to absorb the news," he added.
The assessment of William and Kate's reaction is from royal experts. The Prince and Princess of Wales have not made any public statement about the Sussexes' move.
Harry and Meghan will maintain homes in the United States and Portugal
The move also does not mean a definitive break with the life built by the couple outside the United Kingdom. Harry and Meghan intend to maintain their residence in Montecito, California, where they have lived since leaving royal duties.
The couple will also continue their holiday property in Portugal, thus establishing a new British base without abandoning their other residences.
Harry and Meghan left the main nucleus of the royal family in 2020. Since then, they have started to develop their own projects in the United States and maintained a relationship marked by periods of strong tension with members of the monarchy.
Now, with Archie and Lilibet enrolled in British schools and the family once again settled in the United Kingdom, the Sussexes' relationship with Charles III, William and Kate should return to the spotlight.
Harry and Meghan return to the UK with children after six years in the US
According to People, the change begins in August, and Archie and Lilibet will study at a British school from September. The couple will maintain properties in California and Portugal and will not resume official duties in the royal family