What to Know About Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Move Back to the UK

Six years after "Megxit" sent Prince Harry and Meghan Markle across the Atlantic, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are heading home. News broke in the past few days that the couple and their two children will relocate from California back to Britain — a genuinely surprising development given how firmly the family had planted roots in Montecito. Here's what's actually confirmed so far, and what's still speculation.

Are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Really Moving Back to the UK?

Yes. Multiple outlets, including the BBC, CNN, and People, have confirmed the couple are relocating to Britain with their two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. The move is described as being for "an extended period" rather than framed as explicitly permanent, and is expected to happen within days, given the UK school year starts in early September.

When Did This News Break, and How?

The story broke on August 19–20, 2026, first reported by The Telegraph and The Sun, before being confirmed by People, the BBC, and other major outlets. Notably, the announcement came through the media rather than an official statement from Buckingham Palace or Kensington Palace — a detail royal commentators have flagged as significant in itself.

Why Are They Moving Back Now?

The couple's children are enrolled to start school in England this September, which appears to be the practical driver behind the timing. Beyond logistics, royal commentators point to a few converging factors: Harry and Meghan met privately with King Charles earlier this summer, and sources say the King was only told of the relocation plan on Sunday, August 16 — meaning the school decision, and likely the broader move, had already been set in motion before that conversation. Some commentators have also pointed to the recent legal fallout involving former Prince Andrew as part of a broader sense within the family that the monarchy is in a period of instability, though this connection remains speculative rather than confirmed.

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Will They Resume Royal Duties?

No. Multiple sources, including the BBC and CNN, report that King Charles has made clear there is no change to Harry and Meghan's status — they remain private citizens and non-working members of the royal family. They will not live in a royal residence, and there's no suggestion of a return to official public duties.

Where Will They Live?

This is still unconfirmed. Reports indicate the family is looking at a private residence outside London, but no specific property has been named. The couple are reportedly keeping their home in Montecito, California, and are not expected to give up their existing US or Portugal properties.

What About Their Businesses — Archewell and As Ever?

According to reporting from Variety and other outlets, Harry and Meghan have no immediate plans to relocate or wind down Archewell Productions, their media company, or As Ever, Meghan's lifestyle and food brand. Both are expected to continue operating largely as they have been.

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How Did Prince William and Kate React?

By most accounts, they were not given much notice. Multiple sources describe William and Kate as "blindsided," having reportedly learned of the plan only shortly before it became public — around the same time as, or even after, King Charles. Royal commentators have described the Prince and Princess of Wales as unenthusiastic about the return, with some sources characterising the relationship between the brothers, who are reported to have been estranged since 2022, as unlikely to thaw quickly just because they'll be living in the same country again.

How Is King Charles Reacting?

Reports describe the King as welcoming "the opportunity to see more of his family in a personal capacity." Harry and Meghan reportedly met privately with Charles and Queen Camilla during a visit earlier this summer, and some commentators have suggested the King's ongoing health situation may be a factor in wanting more time with his son and grandchildren, though this has not been confirmed directly by the palace.

Is This Considered a Step Toward Reconciliation With the Royal Family?

It's genuinely unclear, and royal commentators are split. Some frame the move as a potential first step toward repairing the relationship with Charles specifically, given the summer meeting and his more receptive tone. Others are far more skeptical, noting the news broke through American media rather than the palace, which some sources have read as a sign that trust between the two camps remains limited rather than restored.

What Happens to Archie and Lilibet's Schooling?

Both children are reported to be enrolled in British schools ahead of the new term starting in September, which several outlets have cited as the most concrete, practical reason behind the timing of the move.