Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to relocate from the United States to the United Kingdom with their children Archie and Lilibet, according to multiple reports. The move, set to take place this month, marks a significant shift for the couple who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and subsequently settled in California.
The decision has prompted widespread speculation in Britain about what prompted the couple's return. Since leaving their roles as senior working members of the royal family, Harry and Meghan have built independent careers in the entertainment and media industries while residing in Montecito, California. Their departure from royal life included a widely publicized interview and documentary series detailing their experiences within the royal family.
The couple's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were born in the United States and have spent most of their lives there. The relocation will represent their first sustained period living in the United Kingdom. Harry has maintained some ties to Britain through periodic visits for family events and legal proceedings related to media privacy cases.
The timing and logistics of the move have attracted considerable attention from both British and American media outlets. The couple has maintained a complicated relationship with the British press since their departure, citing media intrusion as one factor in their decision to leave. Their return raises questions about how they will navigate public life and their relationship with the royal family going forward.
Neither representatives for Harry and Meghan nor Buckingham Palace have issued official statements about the reported move. The couple's previous residence in the United Kingdom was Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate, though reports indicate they vacated that property. The nature of their living arrangements upon return and whether they will resume any official duties remains unconfirmed.