Prince Harry confirms UK return as children settle in Cotswolds school

Life in the Cotswolds and schooling

Prince Harry stated that his family has adapted well since returning to the United Kingdom on 26 August 2026 after six years in California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated with their two children, seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet, establishing their household at a private residence in the Cotswolds area west of London. The children initially began attending a local school in early September, but the family transferred them to a different institution within days. The decision followed security reviews by their private protection team, which identified risks related to the transit distance and heavy vehicular traffic on the commute. Speaking to Canadian network CTV News, Harry confirmed that the children are settled and thriving in their new classrooms.

The kids are happy in school and it gives me a chance to really focus on Invictus in Birmingham. The games are in July next year.

Motivations behind the UK move

When asked about the motivations behind relocating from North America, Harry noted there were many reasons for the transition but declined to expand in detail to keep attention on military charities. The Duke stepped down from official royal duties with Meghan in early 2020 for personal and financial reasons, moving to the United States and relinquishing standard royal police protection. Since returning to England, Meghan has maintained a private routine with minimal public appearances, while Harry has undertaken several charitable engagements. Outside observers and royal commentators linked the return to a desire to provide the children with British schooling and foster proximity to their grandfather.

Invictus Games preparations in Birmingham

Harry spoke to broadcasters in Ontario after completing a skydive to honour a commitment made to 102-year-old Second World War veteran Ed Marshall. Because medical limitations prevented the veteran from participating, Harry executed the jump alongside Marshall's grandson to raise awareness for veteran support organizations. The Duke explained that establishing the family in England allows him to direct attention toward the upcoming Invictus Games, an adaptive sports tournament he founded for wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans. The next edition will take place in Birmingham from 10 to 17 July 2027, featuring 550 competitors from 25 countries across 12 sporting disciplines. Ahead of the competition, Harry recently visited a school in Birmingham, where he launched a tournament-linked educational curriculum, played pickleball with students, and observed a science lesson on prosthetic limb engineering.

Official royal status and security arrangements

The family's return has operated alongside unresolved questions regarding official status and security arrangements. Although Harry has re-established contact and held discussions with King Charles III, who is receiving medical treatment for cancer, the King ruled out any partial return to official working royal duties. Within two weeks of their arrival, the Lord Chamberlain issued a formal directive authorised by the monarch to senior government and military officials, specifying that Harry and Meghan must be treated strictly as private citizens. The Sussexes expressed surprise at the circular, having preferred an official designation as public figures. While the family currently funds private security guards, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) is reassessing whether they will receive state-funded police protection. Meanwhile, personal relations between Harry, his brother Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, remain distant.