After six years in the US, Harry and Meghan plan to return to live in the UK

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning to move back to the United Kingdom after six years in the United States, with the couple and their two children — Archie (7) and Lilibet (5) — expected to relocate later this month to a privately owned property outside London.

The children are already enrolled to start school in September, and the family will reportedly keep their residences in Montecito, California, as well as a home in Portugal where they spent part of the summer. King Charles was informed of the move last week after the Sussexes met him at Highgrove, Gloucestershire, during a visit last month.

Private status and security remain central

The palace said the monarch welcomes the chance to see more of his family, but there will be no change to Harry and Meghan’s status — they will remain private citizens following their earlier decision to step back from official royal duties. Prince William and Kate Middleton have also been notified of the couple’s plans.

Security arrangements for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain uncertain. The long-running dispute over the family’s protection was cited as the reason Harry did not bring Meghan and the children to events in London last month. After losing a legal battle over his security in May 2025, Harry said: "I don't see any reason why I would bring my wife and children back to the United Kingdom at this time."

Speaking to the BBC after the ruling, Harry added that he "would like reconciliation" with his family. He also said: "There were so many disagreements between me and part of my family," and: "I would like to make peace with my family. There's no point in fighting anymore, life is precious." On whether he had asked the king to intervene in the security dispute, he said: "I never asked him to intervene; I asked him to step aside and let the experts do their job."

Last month the duke and six other claimants lost a privacy case against the publishers of the Daily Mail in London. The claimants, among them Doreen Lawrence and Elton John, sued Associated Newspapers Ltd over alleged unlawful information gathering, but their claims were dismissed by the judge, Niclin.

On the commercial front, Harry and Meghan renewed a multi-year agreement with Netflix last year after reports suggested low viewing figures might have jeopardised a renewal. The couple originally signed a five-year deal in 2020 reportedly worth about $100 million (approximately £78 million), which produced several projects including Meghan’s lifestyle series "With Love, Meghan." A separate $20 million Spotify podcast deal ended after just 12 episodes.

Sources say the meeting between the Sussexes and King Charles was not entirely cordial. For now, the family’s relocation appears intended to balance more time in the UK with continued ties to California and Portugal, while the unresolved security questions will shape whether the couple request formal protection in future.

Photo: Justin Goff / Goff Photos / Profimedia