Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Harry and Meghan’s UK Return Linked to Family and Duties
Reports say Harry and Meghan may move back to Britain with their two children.
They left Britain and royal duties in 2020 and have lived in California.
Archie and Lilibet are expected to start school in Britain in September.
Harry also has charities and the Invictus Games to work on in the UK.
Harry’s relationship with his father, King Charles, appears to have improved.
One report says the family wants to be closer to Charles and help the children know their relatives.
Charles has cancer, and Harry has said he wants to make peace with his family.
However, another report says Charles may not have known about the move until shortly before it was announced.
Harry and Meghan will remain private citizens, not working royals.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly plan to move to Britain this month with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The couple left royal duties and Britain in 2020 and have lived in California since then.
Reports cite several possible reasons, including closer contact with King Charles, their children’s British schooling and Harry’s UK commitments.
Harry, Meghan and their children reportedly met Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House in July.
The move is not a return to royal duties, and tensions with Prince William and security concerns remain unresolved.
- Who
- Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet, King Charles III and the wider Royal Family are central to the reports.
- What
- Harry and Meghan reportedly plan to return to Britain with their children while keeping their homes in California and Portugal.
- When
- The move is reportedly planned for later this month, with Archie and Lilibet due to begin school in Britain in September; the family reportedly met at Highgrove House in July.
- Where
- The family is reportedly moving to a private residence outside London after living in California; Harry and Meghan also plan to retain homes in Montecito and Portugal.
- Why
- Reported reasons include being closer to King Charles, strengthening family relationships, enrolling the children in British schools, and allowing Harry to work more easily with UK charities and the Invictus Games Foundation.
Family Reconciliation and Practical Reasons
Unconfirmed Motive and Continuing Tensions
Role of King Charles III’s cancer
Family Reconciliation and Practical Reasons
A source cited by Page Six said Harry and Meghan want to be closer to King Charles III, while Harry has publicly referred to his father’s illness and called for reconciliation.
Unconfirmed Motive and Continuing Tensions
The reports do not establish that Charles’s cancer caused the move. Another account says Charles may have learned about the plans only shortly before their public announcement.
Meaning of the Highgrove meeting
Family Reconciliation and Practical Reasons
The reported July meeting with Charles and Queen Camilla is presented as evidence of improved contact between Harry and his father.
Unconfirmed Motive and Continuing Tensions
The meeting was described by the Palace as a private family occasion, and the reports say it did not necessarily mean the family had resolved its broader disputes.
Effect on the Royal Family
Family Reconciliation and Practical Reasons
Harry’s return could help him deepen his relationship with Charles, while living in Britain may make further reconciliation more possible.
Unconfirmed Motive and Continuing Tensions
Relations with Prince William reportedly remain strained, and there are no clear signs of a warming between the brothers.
- Reported timing
- Harry and Meghan are reportedly planning to move to Britain later this month.
- Children’s schooling
- Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are due to start British schools in September.
- Previous departure
- The couple stepped back from royal duties and left Britain in 2020.
- Reported family meeting
- Harry, Meghan and their children reportedly visited King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House in July.
- UK commitments
- Harry’s reasons to be in Britain include his UK-based charities and the Invictus Games in Birmingham next year.
- Residence plans
- The family reportedly plans to live outside London while retaining homes in Montecito, California, and Portugal.
- Royal status
- The move will not involve a return to working royal duties.
- Security status
- Harry’s concerns about UK security remain relevant after his court challenge was dismissed in May 2025.
