The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their two children are scheduled to relocate from California to the United Kingdom within the next few days. The move is described by the couple's team as being for "an extended period of time," rather than a confirmed permanent residency. The family is expected to base themselves in the Cotswolds, where they previously rented property in 2018.
This relocation follows a period of several years during which the family resided in Montecito, California. While the couple will maintain their multi-million dollar home in the United States and plan to visit regularly, they have also purchased a holiday home in Portugal near Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, will remain in California.
In the UK, Prince Harry will focus on charity work and existing patronages, including the WellChild Awards in London later this month. He recently completed his final US engagements, which included visiting military veterans at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre and Arlington National Cemetery. The Invictus Games, scheduled for July in Birmingham, are also a primary focus, with organizers expressing an aspiration for the King to officially open the event.
Meghan is expected to prioritize settling their children, seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet, into British schools before the autumn term begins next week. Her professional plans include managing her business, As Ever, and exploring a return to acting. Speculation has linked her to a potential role in the third series of the Netflix show *The Gentlemen*, though Netflix has not commented and talks are reportedly in early stages.
For the public and local institutions, the move brings two high-profile figures back into the UK's charitable and media sectors. Prince Harry’s work with the Invictus Games in Birmingham involves coordination with international military organizations and local government. Meghan’s potential return to the screen, cited as a financial necessity for the family's expenses, would mark a transition from her previous role as a working royal back to the private entertainment industry, potentially affecting production schedules and media interest in the Cotswolds region.
The success of the move will be evaluated by the couple's satisfaction with UK life and the public’s reception over the coming months. A spokesperson for the couple clarified that while they are fans of Geri and Christian Horner, the couple is not receiving advice from them regarding their return. The immediate next steps include the start of the school term next week and Prince Harry's attendance at the WellChild Awards in late September.