The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s imminent relocation to the UK raises a number of important questions. The shock development comes more than six years after Harry and Meghan’s “Megxit” move to the US and from active roles in the royal family. King Charles, who is living with cancer, was reportedly only made aware of the move on Sunday.
Why Are They Moving Back to the UK?
Several theories have been thrown around regarding Harry and Meghan’s return. With the 30th anniversary of his mother Princess Diana’s death on the horizon, it is possible that the prince is seeking to reunite with his brother ahead of this important date. Some have cited the British education system as a reason, while others have suggested the Sussexes have more status in the UK than America. The family made a trip to the UK over the summer, which left many speculating that Prince Harry missed his homeland. Meghan shared many of the snaps of their travels in the UK in a social media post in July.
Where Will They Live?
For security reasons, the exact location of the Sussex family’s new home has not been revealed. However, it is understood that the Sussexes have already secured a new home in Britain - a private, non-royal residence outside of London. Rumours are rife that the pair could be relocating close to the Spencer family estate, Althorp, near the Cotswolds and Northampton area. Althorp House is where Princess Diana’s grave is, and where Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer lives. The Cotswolds has become increasingly popular in recent years with American celebrities and A-listers, and is also close to the King’s Highgrove Estate. Their children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, will start their new schools from September - but no details of which they will attend have yet been released.
What Will Their Security Arrangements Be?
Questions remain over who will fund the Sussex family’s security arrangements when they return to live in Britain. Security decisions are taken by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC). RAVEC withdrew Harry’s right to taxpayer-funded security back in 2020 when the Sussexes stepped back from frontline royal duties. Harry later lodged an appeal against the Home Office and the Met Police, arguing that threats against him had not diminished just because he had stopped being a frontline royal, and that his military service had placed him at particular risk. The appeal was lost however, with England's most senior judge, Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos, ruling that while the Duke's sense of grievance did not amount to a legal argument. The government proceeded to offer a “bespoke” and cheaper security package for the family. It is not clear what will happen now in regard to their security as Harry and Meghan have expressed any interest in resuming their roles as senior royals. It is unclear whether they have received any assurances over security from the Home Office, or whether any additional security costs could ultimately fall to the taxpayer.
What Will Harry Do?
There are currently no plans for the Duke or the Duchess to resume their official working roles in the royal family. In keeping with their wishes, the King has been clear that there would be “no alteration” to the Duke and Duchess's role and status as private individuals and non-working members of The Firm. Sources insist that it is not in the Sussexes' plan to return to the royal fold, with no mention of their return discussed when Harry, Meghan and their children met with the King at Highgrove earlier this summer. The couple stepped down as working royals in Britain six years ago, with Queen Elizabeth II confirming that they would not “continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service”. Harry was also later stripped of his honorary military titles. Since stepping back from the royal family, Harry has focussed on philanthropy and charity work, becoming the Chief Impact Officer for mental health and coaching firm BetterUp, and running the non-profit organization Archewell, as well as continuing to champion the Invictus Games.
Is the Move Permanent?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s return to the UK will reportedly be for “longer than an extended period”. Queen Elizabeth II’s former press secretary Ailsa Anderson told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday: “They do have two young children, they will be enrolling in school. You can’t flip-flop every two minutes and take them out of school and go back to the United States and then come back to the UK, so I can see that it’s going to be longer than an extended period. We know there’s been an ongoing issue with security. He has said until this is rectified he won’t be coming back to the United Kingdom, but clearly now he’s had a change of heart and he wants to come back to his motherland. And I wonder, because of the trip that he made earlier, and going back to his late mother’s ancestral home in Northamptonshire, whether that’s made a shift in his views, and he really wants to come back, because he’s missed his life here for the last six years.” The couple are expected to retain their homes in California and Portugal, suggesting they may leave the UK again at some point.
How Will It Play with William?
Questions have been raised of how the news will be met by the Prince and Princess of Wales, following the brother’s very public falling out. William is estranged from his brother after Harry levelled a barrage of accusations against him, Kate, the King and Queen Camilla in the years ever since “Megxit”. Allegations against William and Kate have been fired off by both Harry and Meghan in their Netflix documentary, interview with Oprah, and the duke’s autobiography Spare. Perhaps most pertinent was Harry’s book in which he claimed William had physically attacked him over Meghan’s supposedly rude behaviour. It made for awkward watching at the King’s coronation in 2023 when the brothers were barely pictured together and Harry was made to sit some rows behind the rest of the family. The brothers are not believed to have spoken for some time, with some speculating even several years. Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggested the surprise return is likely to have left William “apoplectic”. Mr Hunt said: “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.” Education Secretary Lucy Powell said that she hopes Harry and Meghan’s move back to Britain will be “part of a bigger reconciliation” for the royal family. She told LBC: “I hope that this is all part of a bigger reconciliation for the family because you know the royal family is very important to this country and to our reputation around the world, and you know I for one think it’s great to have Harry and Meghan and their family back here.”
