Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are planning to move from California to the UK this month for an extended period, together with their children, Archie and Lilibet. The children are due to start school in the UK in September, according to People and The Telegraph. A source close to the couple has confirmed the accuracy of these reports.
Briefly about the main points
- The Sussex family are planning to live in the UK on a long-term basis.
- Archie and Lilibet are due to start school in September.
- The couple will not be taking up residence at the royal residence.
- Harry and Charles have re-established contact, but relations with William remain strained.
- Security arrangements for Harry in the UK are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Without a royal residence or an official role
A spokesperson for Harry and Buckingham Palace has not commented on the reports of the move. According to *The Telegraph*, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be living at the royal residence.
They will also remain members of the royal family without carrying out official duties. This status was agreed following the couple’s decision to step down from their royal duties and move to the US in March 2020.
Archie and Lilibet are sixth and seventh in the line of succession respectively, according to the Royal Family’s official website. The children’s presence in the country does not imply any change to their constitutional status or a return to official duties for their parents.
Relations with Charles have improved, but William is keeping his distance
Last month Harry, Meghan and their children visited the UK. King Charles saw his grandchildren for the first time since 2022; this marked a further improvement in the relationship between father and son.
At the same time, there has been no full family reconciliation. Harry’s relationship with his elder brother, Prince William, remains strained, and they have almost no contact.
The media reported that the King had learnt of the couple’s plans to return on Sunday.
Security arrangements during the stay will be determined on a case-by-case basis
Security concerns were one of the reasons why Harry had previously stated that he could not bring his children to the UK. He criticised the change in the arrangements for his police protection following his decision to step back from his official royal duties.
In May 2025, the Court of Appeal of England and Wales dismissed his appeal against this order. The court upheld the approach whereby the RAVEC committee assesses the need for protective measures on a case-by-case basis — depending on the specific visit and circumstances — rather than providing automatic, permanent protection.
A longer stay by the family may require specific practical arrangements regarding safety.
