Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been considering a return to the UK for around a year, despite the Duke previously suggesting a move back was off the table.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are preparing to relocate to Britain for an extended period with Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. Their children have been enrolled in school in the UK and are expected to begin classes in September.
The family is expected to establish a private, non-royal base outside London while keeping their home in Montecito, California.
Plans developing behind the scenes
While news of the Sussexes' return came as a surprise, sources have claimed the plans have actually been developing behind the scenes for about a year. According to PEOPLE, the move "isn't sudden" and has been in the works for around 12 months, with the couple's priorities changing as Archie and Lilibet have grown older.
"It's something Harry has been thinking about for a while," a source close to the Duke said.
There may have been an early indication of Harry's thinking last September when he spoke to British singer Joss Stone at the WellChild Awards. Stone, who returned to Britain with her family after living in Tennessee, said: "He asked about how we were settling back in and was genuinely interested in our move home." She added: "He was saying how wonderful the schools are here and how important community is for children."
A shift from earlier statements
The reported year-long planning comes despite Harry appearing to rule out bringing his family back to Britain as recently as May 2025. Speaking to the BBC at the time, he said: "I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point."
However, sources say Harry never completely lost his connection to Britain. "Harry never really stopped missing home. He's missed that sense of connection and belonging. Britain is still home in many ways," a source close to the couple said.
The decision is understood to have been "taken as a family", with Meghan also seeing benefits in allowing Archie and Lilibet to experience life on both sides of the Atlantic.
Not a permanent move
Their move is not expected to be permanent, with the Sussexes retaining their Montecito estate and their property in Portugal. One source said: "It's not necessarily a forever thing."
Harry will also have increasing reasons to spend time in Britain ahead of the Invictus Games in Birmingham in July 2027. His return could also create more opportunities to reconnect with the Royal Family. His relationship with King Charles is said to have improved following a private reunion at Highgrove in July, although his relationship with Prince William remains strained. Sources say the brothers are still in "no contact", with William showing no indication that he is ready for a reconciliation.
