Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have officially decided to relocate to the United Kingdom along with their children, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The couple, accompanied by their children Prince Archie, aged 7, and Princess Lilibet, aged 5, will be transitioning to a life as private citizens while residing in the UK. Although the exact timeline of their return has not been confirmed, media reports suggest that they aim to be back in time for their children to commence school in September.
The decision to move back to the UK comes after Harry and Meghan stepped back from their full-time royal duties and departed the country in March 2020, eventually settling in California after a brief stay in Canada. Their relationship with the Royal Family had become strained due to their public criticisms of the monarchy and the family. Harry, in particular, expressed discontent towards his father and elder brother, Prince William, resulting in a significant rift in their relations.
During an interview on “The Late, Late Show with James Corden” in February 2021, Harry highlighted the challenging environment they faced, leading him to prioritize his family’s well-being. Despite facing security concerns and changes in protection arrangements, Harry emphasized that he never intended to abandon his responsibilities.
Harry was involved in a privacy lawsuit against the publisher of The Daily Mail, which he lost, alongside other prominent British figures in July. He testified that the newspaper had severely impacted Meghan’s life. Following the court’s decision, Harry criticized the outcome, labeling it as a “whitewash.”
In a positive development, a reconciliation seemed to be underway between Harry and his father, King Charles, as they met after a 20-month gap last September. The entire family visited Britain in July, allowing King Charles to reunite with his grandchildren after a long period apart. The King expressed his support for Harry’s decision to relocate and looked forward to spending more time with the Sussex family in a personal setting.
Additionally, King Charles, aged 77, underwent treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024, with reports indicating a positive response to the treatment, leading to a shift towards a precautionary phase by the medical team.