A royal return? Duke and Duchess of Sussex set to return to Britain

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are planning to return to the UK six years after stepping down from royal duties and relocating to the United States, the BBC reports.

Other British newspapers had previously reported on the couple’s possible return.

Harry and Meghan are planning to move from California to a private residence near London at the end of August. Their children — seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet — could begin attending a British school as early as September.

According to the report, King Charles III was informed of the couple’s plans last Sunday, August 16. However, Harry and Meghan are not expected to resume royal duties and intend to remain private citizens.

The Sussexes left the UK and stepped down from royal duties in early 2020, moving to California in March of the same year.

Relations with the royal family have remained strained ever since, although a July meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla marked a significant development in their relationship. 

The Palace described the meeting, held at the King’s private residence in Gloucestershire, as a “private family occasion.”

Prince Harry and Meghan had not visited the UK together since 2022, when they returned for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Security arrangements have remained a major source of tension for the couple, with their July visit being reconsidered after the duke’s request for police protection was rejected.

Last year, Prince Harry lost a legal challenge against the decision over the level of security he and his family are entitled to receive while in the UK. The duke had sought to overturn the decision to downgrade his security following his withdrawal from royal duties and move to the US with Meghan.

By Jeyhun Aghazada