Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are set to return to the United Kingdom in August 2026 after spending six years living mainly in California, US [1, 2, 3]. Their two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, will start school in the UK in September 2026 [1, 2, 3].
The couple plans to settle in a private residence outside London. Sources suggest the new home might be in the Cotswolds or possibly Northamptonshire near the Spencer family estate, Althorp. However, no exact location has been confirmed publicly [1, 2, 3].
King Charles III was informed of their decision in mid-August and reportedly welcomes the chance to see them more privately but was not involved in their move [1, 2, 3]. Harry and Meghan will remain non-working royals with no plans to resume official royal duties [1, 2, 3].
Since stepping down from royal duties in January 2020, the couple settled in a $14.7 million, 16-bedroom home in Montecito, California [4, 5, 6]. Their time in the US has included public criticism of the monarchy through interviews, documentaries, and Harry's memoir Spare [7, 5, 8, 6]. Harry has also engaged in legal battles over his police security arrangements in the UK, which remain unresolved and uncertain for their return [1, 4, 9].
Meghan is reportedly in early discussions to return to acting with a role in Netflix's series The Gentlemen, though details are not confirmed [1, 2]. She also plans to expand her US-based lifestyle and cooking brand, As Ever, internationally from the UK [1, 2, 10].
The move is motivated by a desire to spend more time in Europe, be closer to Harry's family, and provide their children a UK education [9]. The family visited King Charles at Highgrove in July 2026, their first meeting in over four years, signaling a potential thaw in relations [1, 2, 3].
Security arrangements for the UK relocation have not been made public and remain uncertain [3, 9]. Prince Harry acknowledged his move was driven by family priorities, saying, "I did what any father or husband would do and thought, how do I get my family out of here" [11].
The family’s children are scheduled to begin their UK schooling in September 2026, marking the first major step of their new life back in Britain [1, 2].
