Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are returning to the UK later this month, settling in a non-royal residence outside London, and have already enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools. The move is expected within the next 10 days to ensure the children can begin school ahead of the new term.
Meghan was able to travel to the UK in July with Archie and Lilibet to join Harry when he came to the end of a week-long series of events promoting the Invictus Games. During the visit, the Duke and Duchess took their children to see the King for the first time in four years at his Highgrove home, but are not thought to have raised the prospect of a return to the UK at that meeting. However, it is thought to have provided the catalyst for their return.
King Charles Welcomes the Move
The King, who is still living with cancer, was first made aware of the move on Sunday, only three days before it was made public, but is understood to welcome the opportunity to see more of the family both in a private and personal capacity. It is understood there will be no change to Harry and Meghan's role and status as private individuals and non-working members of the royal family.
However, the move is likely to have left the Duke's brother, Prince William, 'apoplectic', a royal expert has said.
Cotswolds and Northampton Area Top Contenders
The Cotswolds and the Northampton area, near the Spencer family estate, are thought to be the frontrunners for the family's UK base, according to the BBC. The family visited the Spencer family estate during their recent trip to the UK, spending time at the Grade I-listed Althorp House, the childhood home of Harry's mother, Princess Diana. The 13,000-acre estate in Northamptonshire, approximately six miles from Northampton, has served as the family's ancestral seat since 1508.
Royal reporter Tom Sykes considers the Cotswolds the most probable destination for the couple, citing the duke's longstanding connection to the region. He said on his The Royalist YouTube channel: "Harry is very interested in the Cotswolds - it's obviously where he grew up. He knows the roads around there, he knows the back roads very importantly, he knows the pubs, and he has a lot of friends in the area still."
He also believes that the area could be one of the few in the country that would also appeal to Meghan due to the number of high net-worth Americans. He added: "It's also probably about the only place in the United Kingdom outside of London where Meghan might be able to friend some high-end, or high net worth Americans- because as we know, Meghan didn't like the English very much, did she? She didn't like her experience in England; she found that people were snobby, rude, racist, and that they didn't get her."
July Visit Turned Possible Move into Firm Decision
The visit to the UK in July, which allowed the children to meet their aunts, uncles and cousins was "significant", according to the BBC's Senior Royal correspondent Daniela Relph. She wrote: "As well as spending time with the King at Highgrove, Harry, Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are said to have loved being with the family of Harry's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The visit to Europe, which included time in Portugal, where they have a home, was described to me as 'such a great time' for the family. It turned a possible move back to the UK into a firm decision."
William Likely Unhappy with Move
The Sussexes' decision raises the question of how the news will be met by the Prince and Princess of Wales. William - a future king - is estranged from his brother after Harry levelled a barrage of accusations against the prince, Kate, the King and Queen Camilla in the years since the Megxit crisis of 2020.
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggested the surprise return is likely to have left William "apoplectic". Mr Hunt told the Press Association: "In the long term, the return of the Sussexes to the UK opens up the prospect of two rival courts, William's and Harry's. In the short term, Harry will be able to deepen his rapprochement with his father. And his presence back home will make it harder for his brother to duck a reconciliation. The surprise return of Harry and Meghan is likely to have left William apoplectic."
The move is also likely to spark debate as to how the British public will react to the u-turn, after the criticism the Sussexes have made about the royal family and the institution of the monarchy. A YouGov poll found last month that only 22% of Britons see Meghan in a positive light, compared with 65% who hold an unfavourable opinion of the former actress, with 33% seeing Harry positively and 58% negatively.
