Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have confirmed their decision to move back to the United Kingdom with their children, as announced by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The couple will be relocating with their two children, Prince Archie, aged 7, and Princess Lilibet, aged 5, and will continue to live as private citizens, the Palace stated. While the exact timing of their return to Britain was not disclosed, media reports suggest that it will be in time for the children to commence school in September.
Harry and Meghan stepped back from their full-time royal duties and departed the U.K. in March 2020. They subsequently settled in California after a brief stay in Canada. The move back to the U.K. comes amid strained relations with the Royal Family, following public criticisms of the monarchy and family members by the couple. Particularly, Harry’s remarks about his father and elder brother, Prince William, led to a significant rift in their relationship.
In a February 2021 interview on The Late, Late Show with James Corden, Harry expressed the challenging circumstances he faced and his decision to prioritize his family’s well-being. He also highlighted his concerns regarding the altered security arrangements in the U.K., which impacted his ability to bring his children to the country. Despite the difficulties, Harry emphasized that he had not abandoned his responsibilities and would never do so.
Additionally, Harry was involved in a privacy lawsuit against the publisher of The Daily Mail, which he lost in July. He had testified about the negative impact on Meghan’s life due to the newspaper’s actions. Following the court’s decision, Harry criticized the outcome, labeling it as unjust and expressing disappointment with the verdict.
Relations with King Charles seemed to be improving when the family visited Britain in July, marking the first meeting between the father and son in nearly two years. King Charles, who had been battling cancer, received positive news about his treatment progress in December, prompting a shift to a precautionary phase.
The Palace acknowledged King Charles’s support for Harry and Meghan’s decision to relocate, emphasizing the importance of family connections in a personal setting. The upcoming move signifies a potential opportunity for the Sussex family to spend more time with King Charles and strengthen their familial bond.
