Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing for one of the biggest changes in their lives since stepping away from senior royal duties in 2020: a return to the United Kingdom with their two children.

Multiple major news organizations reported Wednesday that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to establish a home in Britain, with Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, expected to begin attending school in the U.K. this September.

The move would bring Harry and Meghan significantly closer to the royal family after more than six years of living primarily in California.

However, despite some headlines suggesting the Sussexes are leaving California behind completely, reports indicate the family intends to keep its Montecito home. They are also expected to retain their residence in Portugal, suggesting that their future may involve living between several countries rather than making a permanent, exclusive return to Britain.

Archie and Lilibet Expected to Attend British Schools

One of the clearest signs that this is more than a short visit is the reported decision involving the Sussex children.

Archie and Lilibet are expected to attend school in Britain beginning in September.

The move would represent a major change for both children. Archie was born in the United Kingdom in May 2019 but has spent most of his childhood in the United States. Lilibet was born in California in June 2021 and has spent relatively little time in Britain.

Reports say the family will live in a privately owned residence rather than a royal property. The exact location has not been publicly disclosed, and details concerning the children's school are also being kept private.

That privacy is particularly significant given Harry's long-running concerns regarding security for Meghan and their children while visiting Britain.

King Charles Reportedly Welcomes the Family's Return

The move also comes during what appears to be a gradual thaw in the relationship between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles III.

People reported that King Charles was informed of the couple's plans shortly before the news became public and welcomed the opportunity to spend additional private time with Harry, Meghan and his grandchildren.

Harry and Charles have endured a highly publicized period of estrangement following the Sussexes' departure from royal life.

Harry has repeatedly expressed a desire for reconciliation, however, and recent meetings between father and son appear to have created at least some movement toward repairing their relationship.

The Sussex family recently traveled to Britain, where Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet reportedly reunited with King Charles at Highgrove. It was an especially significant reunion because the King had spent relatively little time with his grandchildren in recent years.

Harry's children also visited Althorp, the ancestral home of his late mother, Princess Diana. Meghan later shared images connected to the family's visit.

Six Years After Their Dramatic Royal Departure

The return marks another extraordinary chapter in a royal story that has unfolded publicly since early 2020.

In January of that year, Harry and Meghan announced plans to step back from their positions as senior working members of the royal family.

The couple eventually settled in California, establishing their home in Montecito and pursuing independent commercial and charitable ventures.

Their departure eventually became known informally as "Megxit" and created one of the largest modern fractures within Britain's royal family.

Over the following years, Harry and Meghan spoke publicly about their experiences inside the monarchy.

Their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey generated worldwide headlines. Harry later released his bestselling memoir Spare in 2023, providing deeply personal descriptions of his relationships with King Charles, Prince William and other members of the royal household.

The Sussexes also participated in a Netflix documentary series addressing their relationship, royal departure and treatment by the British press.

They Are Not Returning as Working Royals

One fact appears particularly important: Harry and Meghan are not returning to royal duties.

Their move back to Britain does not reverse the agreement reached when they stepped away from official royal responsibilities.

Reports indicate that they will remain non-working members of the royal family and continue supporting themselves independently.

That means the public should not expect Harry and Meghan to suddenly resume the traditional schedule of palace engagements, ceremonial duties and official appearances previously associated with their roles.

Their return appears to be primarily about family, their children, charitable activities and establishing a larger presence in Britain.

Harry's Security Battle Has Been a Major Obstacle

For years, Harry has argued that security concerns made it difficult for him to bring Meghan and the children back to Britain.

After stepping away from official royal duties, the Sussexes lost the automatic level of publicly funded police protection they had received as working royals.

Harry challenged the government's security arrangements through the British courts.

In 2025, he lost a major legal challenge concerning the level of protection provided to him while in Britain. Security questions continued into 2026, including controversy surrounding arrangements for a family visit earlier this summer.

The fact that the family is now preparing to establish a British residence suggests that some form of security arrangement acceptable to the Sussexes may have become possible, although detailed arrangements have not been publicly disclosed.

Harry and William Reportedly Remain Estranged

While Harry's relationship with his father appears to be improving, the same cannot yet be said about his relationship with his older brother.

Prince Harry and Prince William reportedly remain largely estranged.

People reported last month that the brothers remained out of contact despite the improving relationship between Harry and King Charles.

That relationship could become increasingly important if Harry is spending considerably more time in Britain.

William is heir to the throne and occupies an increasingly central role in the monarchy. Harry's physical return to the country means the brothers may find themselves operating in much closer proximity than they have during the California years.

Whether that leads to reconciliation remains uncertain.

California Will Still Remain Part of Their Lives

Perhaps the biggest misconception surrounding the breaking news is that Harry and Meghan are simply abandoning the United States.

Current reporting does not support that conclusion.

The Sussexes reportedly intend to retain their Montecito property in California, meaning the United States will continue to be an important base for the family. They also maintain connections with Portugal.

Meghan has developed businesses and media interests in the United States, while Harry and Meghan have built significant commercial relationships since leaving official royal service.

That makes a transatlantic lifestyle much more plausible than a complete withdrawal from America.

Meghan's Businesses and Harry's Charitable Work Continue

Moving to Britain does not appear to mean abandoning the independent careers Harry and Meghan established after leaving royal life.

Meghan is expected to continue operating her business ventures, while Harry remains heavily involved with charitable organizations and causes connected to veterans, children and international humanitarian work.

One of Harry's most prominent initiatives remains the Invictus Games, the international sporting competition he founded for wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

Harry has also maintained connections with several British charities despite living abroad.

Reports before Wednesday's relocation news suggested Harry intended to increase the frequency of his visits to Britain and return every few months to support charitable commitments.

A British home now makes those commitments considerably easier.

A Potential Turning Point for the Royal Family

The significance of the Sussexes' return extends beyond where one famous family decides to live.

Harry and Meghan's departure became one of the defining controversies of the modern British monarchy.

Their allegations, interviews and public disagreements exposed tensions involving race, mental health, press intrusion, institutional culture, family relationships and personal security.

Their return does not erase any of those disputes.

But it does create circumstances in which reconciliation may become easier.

King Charles will potentially have more opportunities to build a relationship with Archie and Lilibet.

Harry will once again spend substantial amounts of time in the country where he was born and raised.

Archie and Lilibet will gain far greater exposure to their British heritage.

And Meghan will return to a country where her relationship with the royal institution and portions of the British press has often been contentious.

What Happens Next?

Attention will now turn toward several unanswered questions.

Where will the Sussexes establish their British home?

How much of each year will they spend in Britain compared with California?

What security arrangements have been made?

Will Harry's relationship with King Charles continue to improve?

Could the return eventually lead to reconciliation with Prince William?

And how will the British public respond to seeing Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet living in the country again?

Those questions may take months or years to answer.

What is already clear is that the story of Harry and Meghan's departure from Britain has entered a new chapter.

Six years after leaving royal life and establishing a new existence in California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are preparing to bring their children back to Prince Harry's homeland.

They will not be returning as working royals.

They are not surrendering their independence.

And California apparently isn't disappearing from their lives.

But for the first time since their dramatic departure, Britain is once again set to become a genuine family home for Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

That alone makes their return one of the most consequential developments involving the Sussexes since they walked away from royal duties in 2020.