Six years after dramatically quitting royal life for America, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing to move their family back to Britain. But questions remain over security, Harry’s relationship with Prince William and whether the Sussexes’ return could cause fresh tensions within the Royal Family.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing for a dramatic return to Britain, six years after leaving the UK and beginning a new life in California.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to relocate later this month with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, and live in a non-royal residence outside London.
The children are reportedly already enrolled to begin school in Britain in September, marking a significant new chapter for a family that has largely made its home in the US since 2020.
However, the move does not mean Harry and Meghan will return as working royals. Their status within the monarchy is understood to remain unchanged.
King Charles ‘welcomes’ family’s return
King Charles was reportedly informed of his younger son’s plans on Sunday.
The monarch is understood to welcome the prospect of seeing more of Harry, Meghan and his grandchildren on a personal basis following his recent reunion with the Sussexes at Highgrove in Gloucestershire.
But there will be no revival of the controversial “half-in, half-out” arrangement Harry and Meghan originally hoped to establish when they stepped back from royal duties.
That proposal was rejected at the Sandringham summit in 2020, when the terms of the Sussexes’ departure were agreed.
Harry and Meghan subsequently stopped working as senior royals and ceased using their HRH styles.
Could Harry’s return force a reconciliation with William?
While Harry’s relationship with his father appears to be improving, his long-running rift with Prince William remains a major question hanging over the move.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly been informed that the Sussexes are returning, but Harry and William remain estranged following years of damaging public allegations and revelations.
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggested Harry’s return could make the situation increasingly difficult for William.
“In the long term, the return of the Sussexes to the UK opens up the prospect of two rival courts, William’s and Harry’s. In the short term, Harry will be able to deepen his rapprochement with his father. And his presence back home will make it harder for his brother to duck a reconciliation,” he said.
“The surprise return of Harry and Meghan is likely to have left William apoplectic.”
What happens to Harry and Meghan’s security?
One of the biggest unanswered questions is how the Sussex family will be protected when living in Britain.
Harry has fought a long-running battle over his UK security after his police protection arrangements changed when he stopped being a working royal.
In May 2025, after losing a legal challenge over his security, Harry said: “I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.”
In the same interview, however, he made clear that he wanted to repair his relationship with his family.
“I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious.”
Harry described security as having “always been the sticking point”.
Details of the family’s security arrangements following their return have not been made public.
Asked whether the government would establish and pay for Harry and Meghan’s protection, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Well, this is a private matter.
“It’s a matter for Harry and for Meghan, and we wish them well in the moves that they’re making.”
The Home Office has also declined to reveal details, saying: “The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.
“It is our longstanding policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”
Archie and Lilibet prepare for British school
The decision to educate Archie and Lilibet in Britain is potentially one of the most significant elements of the Sussexes’ return.
The children, who have spent most or all of their lives in California, are expected to begin at a British school in September, although exactly where they will attend has not been confirmed.
It will also give King Charles the opportunity to spend considerably more time with his Sussex grandchildren.
Are Harry and Meghan leaving America for good?
Despite their move, Harry and Meghan are not understood to be cutting ties with the US.
The couple are expected to retain their home in Montecito, California, as well as their property in Portugal. Meghan is also expected to continue running her lifestyle business, As Ever, from their new UK base.
Their return therefore appears less like a complete reversal of their 2020 departure and more like another evolution in their relationship with Britain and the monarchy.
But with Harry rebuilding his relationship with his father while remaining estranged from his brother, the Sussexes’ presence back on British soil could change the dynamics of the Royal Family once again.
