Prince Harry has revealed that the decision to return to the UK with Meghan Markle was driven by a desire for their children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, to experience a British education.
In a wide-ranging interview with GQ magazine, the Duke of Sussex spoke candidly about the move, which took place at the end of August, with the family believed to be settling in the Cotswolds. The couple have already begun public engagements, with Harry taking a more active role than Meghan, who has been spotted in public only a few times.
Education a Key Factor in the Move
Harry explained that personal reasons, rather than professional ones, were the main motivation for returning to England. When asked why he swapped Montecito, California, for the UK, he said: "Opportunities for the family. Being able to put the kids in a British school has meant a lot to me."
He added: "I didn't know how important it was to me. I always thought it was going to be something that we would try and do, but now they've been in school for two weeks. They're loving it and it's just giving them a whole different experience."
"I'm not criticizing American schools. But I think for kids at seven and five, to be able to have that comparison and to have two completely different cultural experiences is so important today," he said.
Family Ties and Grief
The Duke also discussed his bond with his brother William and father King Charles, as well as his ongoing grief over the loss of his mother, Diana, who died in 1997 when Harry was 12.
He revealed he wanted to "show my kids where I grew up", adding: "Wanting... them to have the experiences that I had, the good rather than necessarily the bad, provided real proper serious thinking as to: This is an opportunity, let's do it now."
Fresh Start and School Change
Harry remains hopeful that the fresh start in Britain will not be marred by the difficulties he and Meghan faced during their previous stint in the UK. The pair stepped back from their roles as working royals in early 2020 and relocated to Montecito shortly afterwards.
Following their return, the couple have been in dispute with the King over their status, with Buckingham Palace describing them as 'private citizens' while the Sussexes prefer the term 'public figures' to acknowledge their royal ties. Security concerns during the school run prompted them to move Archie and Lilibet to a different school, though the children are believed to be adapting well.
