The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to move back to Britain more than six years after they relocated to California, the Press Association understands.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the couple will move back to the United Kingdom later this month – making their home in a non-royal residence outside of London. It is understood there will be no change to Harry and Meghan’s role and status as private individuals and non-working members of the royal family.
King Informed of the Move
The King was first made aware of the move on Sunday and is understood to welcome the opportunity to see more of the family both in a private and personal capacity. But their status will remain the same, with the couple not being offered a “half-in-half-out” option when it comes to their roles.
The Telegraph and Sun – which both broke the story on Wednesday night – report that the couple’s children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are enrolled to start at British schools in September.
Background of the Sussexes' Departure
Harry and Meghan, who married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May 2018 to become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were once dubbed part of the “Fab Four” with the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But in March 2019, Buckingham Palace announced Harry and Meghan would set up their own household, breaking from the joint operation they had with William and Kate, amid media reports of rifts between the two couples.
In January 2020, the duke and duchess announced they intended to step back as “senior” members of the royal family, become financially independent, still support the Queen but split their time between the UK and North America. By March 2020, they had set up a permanent home in Los Angeles, California, and on March 31 of that month Harry and Meghan officially stepped down as senior royals and stopped using their HRH styles.
