The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, are expected to arrive in the United Kingdom today. The couple and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, are reportedly traveling via private flight from California. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess declined to comment on the travel plans.
The arrival follows reports from last week that the family would relocate to the UK during August. While they are returning to Britain, the couple will not resume official royal duties and will instead live as non-working royals. They are expected to reside at a private property located in the Cotswolds, an area outside of London.
King Charles was informed of the move earlier this month, according to reports. Although the family visited the King at his Highgrove residence in July, the relocation was reportedly not discussed at that time. The Prince and Princess of Wales have also been notified of the move. This marks the first time the couple has been in the UK together since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
For the Sussexes, the move involves a transition to living as private citizens within the UK. The family will notice changes in their daily routine, including school attendance for their children starting next week. However, the move is accompanied by unresolved questions regarding their legal and financial status. Prince Harry and six other individuals recently lost a High Court privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail, which may require them to pay up to £34.5 million in legal costs to Associated Newspapers.
The move also sets a precedent for how the UK government manages security for non-working royals. Prince Harry previously lost a legal challenge regarding the downgrade of his security status after moving to the U.S., citing safety concerns as a barrier to visiting the UK. A Home Office spokesperson stated that security decisions remain "rigorous and proportionate," but it is currently unclear what specific provisions will be made or who will bear the cost. The next step in the relocation will be the start of the school term next week.