Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have decided to return to the United Kingdom for an extended stay beginning this fall. The couple will be accompanied by their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While the family is relocating to the U.mK., the Associated Press reported that the Duke and Duchess will not resume their former roles as working members of the royal family.
The decision marks a shift for the family, who moved to California after stepping back from senior royal duties in 2020. Since their departure, the couple has established a private life in the United States, appearing in various media projects and pursuing philanthropic work. The source did not provide specific details regarding where the family will reside or the exact duration of the "extended stay."
The report comes amid ongoing public interest in the relationship between the Duke and Duchess and the rest of the British royal family. The Associated Press noted that the move is expected to take place in the fall of 2026. No specific official statements from Buckingham Palace or the Sussexes' representatives were included in the report to detail the logistical arrangements or the status of their security.
The scale of the move involves the permanent or semi-permanent relocation of a household of four people. While the source does not detail the specific financial costs or property arrangements, such a move typically involves significant international logistics and security considerations. To a reader, this change will be most visible in the physical presence of the Duke and Duchess in Britain, potentially impacting their public appearances and the degree to which they interact with UK-based institutions and the royal family.
The knock-on effects of this return may influence future policy or protocol regarding non-working members of the royal family living within the UK. It sets a precedent for how the monarchy manages the presence of high-profile family members who do not hold official duties but reside domestically. The move is scheduled to begin this fall, though exact dates for their arrival or any planned public engagements have not yet been reported. What happens next depends on the family's arrival in the autumn of 2026 and subsequent updates regarding their residency status.