Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have landed in England with their two children to begin living in the United Kingdom for an indefinite period.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at Birmingham Airport in northern England at midday on Wednesday, August 26, travelling aboard a private jet. The Telegraph published a photograph of the aircraft following their arrival. The relocation comes six years after the couple departed Britain for North America in 2020.
While the family had previously announced their intention to return through an embargoed statement sent to Anglo-Saxon media outlets without specifying a date, representatives for the Sussexes declined to comment when asked by the BBC to confirm their landing.
An ITV royal correspondent reported that no police protection was provided to the family upon their arrival. Official security escorts provided by Scotland Yard, the Metropolitan Police department responsible for royal protection, were withdrawn when the couple moved to Canada and the United States in 2020. Prince Harry previously maintained he would not bring his family to Britain without official security and launched legal challenges to restore it, though the courts ruled against him.
Arrival before the school term
The timing of the family's arrival comes ahead of the start of the English school term next week. British media reports indicate that the family will live in the Cotswolds, a region in south-central England famed for its traditional stone villages and countryside scenery.
The rural setting, often compared to the backdrop of the television drama Downton Abbey, is intended to help Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet adapt to life in the country. Prince Archie spent the first months of his life in the United Kingdom before the family relocated abroad.
By contrast, Princess Lilibet had only visited her father's home country once before, during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022 to mark her first birthday. The Sussexes last visited England together in July, which was their first trip to the country in four years.
The open-ended stay offers King Charles III, who continues to undergo treatment for cancer, an opportunity to spend time with his American-accented grandchildren. British news outlets have published speculation on whether the family's prolonged stay could mark a permanent reconciliation within the Royal Family.
Reports over Netflix television role
The unexpected move has generated significant media commentary regarding the reasons behind the relocation, including rumours surrounding the Duchess of Sussex's career.
Media reports suggested that Meghan Markle had been in advanced negotiations to appear in the third season of the Netflix series The Gentlemen, created by British director Guy Ritchie and filmed on location in England.
Online reactions to the potential casting were swift, with social media users describing the proposed role as premature and inappropriate. Hollywood entertainment trade publications later reported that the role was withdrawn from the Duchess of Sussex following the online reaction.
Netflix has not confirmed any casting discussions involving the Duchess. However, the streaming platform confirmed that a third season of the series is planned, despite season two not scheduled for release until September 3.
