Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to move back to the United Kingdom by the end of August, six years after their departure from royal life and relocation to California, according to reports in the British press on Wednesday.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to leave the United States to settle in a private, non-royal residence expected to be located outside London, according to report details published by The Daily Telegraph.
The couple's two children, seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet, have already been enrolled in a British school ahead of the upcoming academic term starting in September, several media outlets reported.
Prince Harry is the younger son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne. He married American actress Meghan Markle in May 2018. After serving as working members of the royal family, the pair announced in early 2020 that they were stepping back from official duties to achieve financial independence. The move, widely referred to in British public discourse as Megxit, led to their eventual relocation to California.
Media reaction and royal family surprise
News of the unexpected relocation dominated headlines across British media on Wednesday, August 19. Outlets including tabloid newspaper The Sun and broadsheet paper The Daily Telegraph featured front-page coverage highlighting the couple's decision to return to the UK for an extended period.
According to reporting by The Daily Mail, the sudden move caught both King Charles and Prince William, the heir to the throne, completely by surprise. King Charles was reportedly notified of Harry and Meghan's plans only on Sunday. Relations between Prince Harry and his elder brother William have remained strained in recent years following public disclosures regarding royal family disputes.
Despite the unexpected nature of the announcement, King Charles is said to be delighted by the prospect of spending more time with his family in a personal capacity. However, British news agency PA reported that the couple's formal status as private individuals will remain unchanged upon their return.
Speculation over future royal duties
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, royal correspondent Victoria Ward described the move as a return home following years of turbulent relations marked by accusations of racism, neglect, and personal arguments, including a dispute over a dog bowl. Other commentators in the British press remarked that the sudden announcement was enough to make readers drop their marmalade.
The Scottish Daily Mail reported on its front page that there was no indication the Duke and Duchess planned to resume official duties as active working members of the royal family. However, the newspaper noted that their physical return to live in Britain would inevitably fuel public speculation surrounding their future relationship with the monarchy.
The British royal family forms the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom, with working members representing the Crown at official engagements and state occasions. Non-working members of the royal family do not receive public funding through the Sovereign Grant and are free to pursue private employment while retaining their noble titles.
