Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are moving back to the United Kingdom after living in California for more than six years. The BBC reported that King Charles III was informed of the decision on a Sunday, though the couple does not plan to resume their roles as working members of the royal family.
This transition follows the couple’s January 2020 announcement that they would step away from "senior" royal duties to pursue financial independence. At the time, the couple stated they intended to balance their time between the U.K. and North America to raise their son, Archie, with an appreciation for royal tradition while focusing on new charitable endeavors. Buckingham Palace later confirmed in February 2021 that the pair would no longer serve as working royals.
The move comes after years of public tension between the couple and the royal family. In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess of Sussex cited concerns regarding their son’s security and title, as well as private discussions about his skin color. Prince Harry also expressed disappointment with his father and noted he and his brother, Prince William, were "on different paths."
Most recently, the family traveled to the U.K. last month to meet with King Charles III. This visit followed a 2024 court ruling in which Prince Harry lost a legal challenge against the British government's decision to downgrade his taxpayer-funded police protection. The Duke of Sussex had previously expressed hesitation about bringing his family to the U.K. due to these security concerns.
The change is significant for the British government regarding the ongoing debate over security costs. Prince Harry lost a 2024 court battle to maintain his previous level of taxpayer-funded security; consequently, the couple will continue to navigate the U.K. without the standard protection afforded to working senior royals. The public and local authorities in the U.K. will likely notice a change in the family's physical presence, though it is not yet reported if they will occupy a specific royal estate or a private residence.
This move sets a precedent for how non-working members of the royal family reside within the U.K. while maintaining private careers. It may influence future policy regarding the security and housing of high-profile relatives of the monarch who do not hold official duties. What happens next depends on the couple’s arrival timeline and whether they seek further legal review of their security status. No specific deadlines for the physical move were reported.