Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to return to the United Kingdom along with their two children, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The decision to move back was initially revealed by The Telegraph and The Sun. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accompanied by their children Prince Archie, aged 7, and Princess Lilibet, aged 5, will transition to living as private individuals while residing in the UK.
Although the specific timeline for their return was not officially disclosed, media reports suggest that the family intends to be back in time for the children to commence their schooling in September. Harry and Meghan had stepped away from their roles as full-time members of the royal family in March 2020 and subsequently relocated to California after a brief stay in Canada.
The move back to the UK follows a period of strained relations between the couple and the Royal Family, exacerbated by public criticisms directed at the monarchy and family members. In a February 2021 interview on The Late, Late Show with James Corden, Harry acknowledged the challenging circumstances and expressed his determination to prioritize his family’s well-being. He emphasized his commitment to his family despite the difficulties they faced.
Furthermore, Harry had been embroiled in a legal battle against the publisher of The Daily Mail, where he and others lost their privacy lawsuits in July. The Prince had testified about the distressing impact of media scrutiny on Meghan’s life. Following the court’s ruling, Harry criticized the verdict, denouncing it as unjust and biased against him.
Recent developments suggest a potential reconciliation within the family, with Harry and his father, King Charles, meeting for the first time in nearly two years last September. The entire family reunited in Britain in July, allowing King Charles to reconnect with his grandchildren after a significant period of separation. The King, who had been undergoing cancer treatment, showed positive progress, prompting a shift to a precautionary phase in his medical care. Buckingham Palace welcomed the news of Harry and Meghan’s impending return, anticipating more personal interactions with the Sussex family in the future.
