Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan return to United Kingdom after six years in California
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle intend to relocate from the United States to a private residence outside London ahead of their children starting British schooling in September.
Relocation plans and private housing
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle intend to relocate their family to the United Kingdom before the end of August 2026, six years after stepping back from royal duties and moving to the United States. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will establish their primary residence in a private home outside London that has no formal connection to the royal estate. Their two children, seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet, are enrolled in a British school ahead of the academic term beginning in September.
The decision alters domestic arrangements for the Sussexes, who have lived in California since 2020. The exact locations of both their new residence and the school have not been made public for privacy reasons. The United Kingdom will serve as the family's primary base for an extended period, though whether the relocation will become permanent has not yet been decided.
Royal standing and family communications
King Charles III was informed of the relocation on Sunday, following years of strained relations between the couple and senior royals. The monarch welcomed the prospect of spending more time with his son and grandchildren, having met with Archie and Lilibet in July 2026 after previously seeing them during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The Prince and Princess of Wales were also informed of the decision.
Despite their return to Britain, Harry and Meghan will maintain their status as private individuals and non-working royals, in keeping with their previously stated wishes. The relocation was not discussed during the Sussexes' visit to King Charles III at Highgrove earlier in the summer. There are no active plans for either the Duke or Duchess to reprise official royal duties or public engagements on behalf of the Crown.
Transition timeline and legal rulings
The relocation follows years of dispute over royal responsibilities and security arrangements. After an initial 12-month review of their departure in 2021, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the couple would not retain the duties associated with public service. In response to that determination, the Duke and Duchess defended their charitable mission in an official statement.
We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.
Safety concerns have also played a central role in the couple's decisions regarding Britain. In 2025, the Court of Appeal rejected Prince Harry's legal challenge against a Home Office decision that ended his family's automatic state-funded police protection during visits to the country. As a result of that ruling, British authorities assess the couple's security provisions on a case-by-case basis.
- Prince Harry and Meghan step down as working royals and move to the United States
- Buckingham Palace confirms the couple will not return to official public duties after a 12-month review
- King Charles III sees grandchildren Archie and Lilibet during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee
- The Court of Appeal dismisses Prince Harry's appeal over automatic police protection in the UK
- Harry and Meghan visit King Charles III at Highgrove
- The couple prepares to relocate their primary household to a private residence outside London
Retained properties and commercial ventures
While establishing their primary household in Britain, the Duke and Duchess plan to retain their existing real estate portfolio abroad. The couple will keep their residence in Montecito, California, as well as a property in Portugal.
Meghan will continue to manage her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from the new British base. Both individuals will remain financially independent from the British monarchy, continuing the commercial and charitable ventures they initiated following their 2020 departure.
