Meghan Markle is reportedly fully behind Prince Harry's decision to return to the UK with their children, with a friend claiming the Duchess wants to reconnect her family with Harry's English roots. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to move back to Britain within weeks, with Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, due to start school in the UK in September.
Friend says Meghan supports the move
A friend of the Sussexes told the Daily Mail that Meghan is "fully behind" the move and wants to help Harry reconnect with his British side. The comments come as the couple prepare for what friends describe as a potentially permanent return, rather than a short-term stay.
Harry's friend Alex Rayner, who has remained in regular contact with the prince, said Harry had never stopped loving Britain but had become unhappy with the circumstances surrounding his life there.
Family visit influenced decision
The family's decision follows their visit to the UK in July, when Harry, Meghan and their children met King Charles at Highgrove. They also visited Althorp, the Northamptonshire estate associated with Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.
The trip is understood to have played an important role in the family's decision, although discussions about returning to Britain had reportedly begun earlier this year.
Schools and property search
The Sussexes have also been looking at schools and property. Sources say they began considering schools for Archie and Lilibet in May, with Archie expected to attend as a day pupil and Lilibet to join him at the same school. The location has not been confirmed, although the Cotswolds is thought to be among the areas being considered.
The couple are expected to stay with someone initially while they continue searching for a permanent UK home. They are also expected to retain their Montecito mansion and continue travelling to the US, where their businesses remain based.
No return to royal duties
Despite the move, there are no plans for Harry and Meghan to return as working royals or to receive money from the royal payroll. Instead, those close to the couple say the decision is focused on family life and giving their children a stronger connection to Harry's home country.
One source said Harry wanted Archie and Lilibet to understand where he grew up and experience a British education. Harry's father's health is also said to have influenced the decision. A source claimed the King's cancer diagnosis made Harry recognise the importance of spending more time with family.
The Sussexes are understood to have maintained contact with members of Harry's family, with one source claiming the Duke has a good relationship with his father and that Charles regularly speaks to Archie and Lilibet over video calls.
Concerns overcome
The move represents a significant change for Meghan, who previously raised concerns about the level of media attention her children could face in Britain. In a 2022 interview, she spoke about fears that taking Archie to school in the UK could result in intense media attention. Those concerns now appear to have been overcome as the family prepares for the children to start school in Britain.
Harry and Meghan's commercial interests will continue to be based largely in the US. Harry has interests including BetterUp, Travalyst and the couple's Archewell production company, while Meghan runs her lifestyle business, As Ever. Meghan has also recently returned to entertainment, appearing as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia and making an acting cameo in the upcoming film Close Personal Friends.
Friends of the Sussexes have stressed that the move is about establishing a private family life rather than recreating their former life as working royals. The couple's return could therefore mark a major new chapter for the family, six years after they left the UK and moved to North America.
