The royal family is gathering at Balmoral for their summer break following the announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will move back to the UK, six years after stepping back from royal duties.
Charles arrived at the Aberdeenshire summer retreat on Tuesday, two days after learning of his youngest son’s plan. The Prince and Princess of Wales have since been pictured at the estate, alongside the Princess Royal and her brother the Duke of Edinburgh.
William and Kate have not reacted publicly to the news of the Sussexes’ return, though they may hold private conversations with the wider family during the break.
Estrangement and family summit reports
The future king is estranged from his younger brother after Harry levelled a barrage of accusations against him, the Princess of Wales, and the King and Queen following his decision to step back from royal duties. Some reports suggested the family was holding a “summit” over the Sussexes’ return, but it is understood the gathering follows the longstanding annual tradition of extended royal family members staying at Balmoral during the summer.
Charles, who only found out about the duke and duchess’s plans three days before they became public, is said to be happy to spend more time with the Sussex family, but remains adamant they will not be working royals. Harry and Meghan have not commented on their reasons for relocating, though a source close to the duchess did not deny reporting that she has been offered an acting role in an upcoming UK project.
Security and financial questions
The move comes after the duke and duchess took their children to see the King for the first time in four years at his Highgrove home in July. The couple are not thought to have raised the prospect of a return at that meeting. Questions have been raised over the Sussexes’ finances, with decisions on whether taxpayers will foot the bill for their security remaining unanswered. The duchess will continue to run her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from their new base.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham would not be drawn on the couple’s security arrangements, calling the funding a “private matter”. The Duke of Sussex has faced a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over security since his protection level changed in 2020, and arrangements may change when they become permanent residents again. At the end of June, Harry was still waiting for a review by the Risk Management Board, part of the process by which the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) rules on his security requirements.
School plans and press restrictions
Rumours have abounded over where the couple will settle, with suggestions including rural locations in the Cotswolds. Archie and Lili are expected to start at their new schools in early September, and there will be no published photographs of the children when they start or on their birthdays, as for working royals. British media organisations have been instructed by the press regulator not to disclose the location of their new family home nor the children’s school.
