Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to the United Kingdom 2,354 days after leaving their royal duties, it was revealed on Wednesday night.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have enrolled their children, seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet, in British schools ahead of their first terms starting next month. The family will not relocate entirely, choosing to retain their home in Montecito, California, while establishing a flexible international schedule.
Their decision to divide time between countries reflects an intention to move around as an international family without the rigid obligations of royal duties. Alongside their Montecito estate, the couple maintains a residence in Melides, a village on the Portuguese coast near Lisbon, where they spent extended time during the summer.
European Base and Summer Travels
The Sussexes' connection to Portugal has been strengthened by Prince Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie, who lives in the country with her husband, Jack Brooksbank. Eugenie gave birth to her third child at a hospital in Lisbon this month, demonstrating a lifestyle that avoids remaining in one location year-round.
A summer itinerary across Europe and the UK appears to have precipitated the decision to return. During their stay in Britain, Prince Harry launched the one-year countdown for the Invictus Games, an international adaptive sporting competition for wounded service members, which will take place in Birmingham next summer.
The family also held private reunions with senior relatives, visiting King Charles at Highgrove and Prince Harry's uncle, Earl Spencer, at the Althorp estate in Northamptonshire. Althorp holds profound significance as the final resting place of Princess Diana, who was interred on a private island in the middle of a lake on the grounds.
Photographs shared by Meghan on Instagram from their July holiday documented the trip, showing Lilibet walking through an arch of trees at Althorp and Prince Harry playing with Lilibet in a swimming pool as Archie played nearby. The image carousel also featured scenes from Portuguese markets, coastal fish restaurants, beaches, and the Scottish wilderness.
Royal Departure and Final Duties
The move marks a significant shift after more than six years since the couple's departure from official royal life in March 2020. Their final engagement took place on a grey afternoon at Buckingham Palace ahead of the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, just 22 months after their wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor, where Meghan had become the first mixed-race person to marry into the Royal Family.
The departure occurred amid mounting global tension as coronavirus lockdowns swept across Europe, with Italy closing its borders that same night. Before the abbey service, Meghan hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for outstanding students from Commonwealth member nations to celebrate diversity and achievement.
Journalist Bryony Gordon, who attended the reception, described an emotional farewell, with Meghan embracing guests and staff members showing visible tears before Prince Harry escorted her to Westminster Abbey. That evening, the Sussexes boarded a flight to Canada before permanently establishing their residence in California several days later.
Prince Harry had completed his final official military appearance two days earlier as Captain General of the Royal Marines, wearing his traditional red mess uniform decorated with medals earned during his military service tours in Afghanistan.
Years in California and Family Rifts
During the six years following their move, Prince Harry made only brief visits to the UK for major events. These included the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the Coronation of King Charles, and the annual awards ceremony for WellChild, a British charity supporting seriously ill children, of which he has long served as patron.
In January 2023, Gordon flew to Montecito to interview Prince Harry regarding his memoir Spare, which highlighted deep personal and family tensions. The book detailed a physical altercation with his brother, Prince William, and claimed King Charles had referred to him as the "spare" on the day of his birth.
Despite the distance, signs of Prince Harry's connection to the UK remained evident in Montecito, including a DIY photo wall on the home's staircase displaying pictures of his mother and childhood. Gordon had previously gotten to know the couple through mental health work beginning with a 2017 podcast interview about the chaos Harry experienced after his mother's death. She also visited them in 2019 at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, where Meghan disclosed how difficult she was finding royal life prior to their interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Business Operations and Future Plans
The Sussexes' commercial and philanthropic ventures will continue without structural changes despite the move. Their primary organization, Archewell, will maintain its structure, encompassing both the charitable arm Archewell Philanthropies and the production company Archewell Productions. Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, will also continue operations unchanged.
With properties in Montecito, Melides, and now a schooling setup in the UK, the family plans to maintain a flexible international schedule between North America and Europe, returning to British soil six years after their initial departure.
