Meghan Markle shared an enigmatic post on her Instagram story referencing chickens, shortly after reports surfaced that she and Prince Harry plan to leave their beloved flock behind in California when they relocate to Britain. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to arrive in the UK this week for an extended stay, coinciding with the start of the school year for their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
The message stated, "People who take care of chickens are literally chicken tenders." The family's chickens, which were featured on Meghan's Netflix program, reside in a coop named 'Archie's Chick Inn' at their Montecito estate. It is understood that staff will care for the birds in the U.S. until the family's return. Their dogs, Mia and Pula, however, are expected to accompany them to Britain.
The Sussexes' decision to leave the chickens in the U.S. has been interpreted by some as an indication of their continued ties to California. The family has resided in the United States for six years. They are planning to move into a private residence in the UK and will not be resuming official royal duties.
This planned relocation follows years of family friction and public statements by the couple after their departure from royal life in 2020. Discussions regarding the funding of their security during their stay in Britain remain unresolved, as does the precise motivation for their return. Prince Harry has been involved in a lengthy legal dispute with the Home Office concerning security provisions for his family while in the UK, following changes to his protection status after stepping down as a working royal.
News of the Sussexes' impending return to Britain was reportedly shared with King Charles only three days before it became public. Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who were vacationing with the King in Scotland at the time, have not yet commented on the news. The relationship between Prince William and his brother has been strained since Harry's public remarks about the Royal Family.
Archie and Lilibet are scheduled to begin their new schools in early September. Unlike working royals, there will be no official photographs released of the children on their first day of school or for their birthdays. The Sussexes intend to maintain their residences in Montecito, California, and Portugal, while Meghan continues to operate her lifestyle brand, "As Ever," from their new U.K. base. A recent poll indicated that a majority of respondents do not favor the Sussexes' return to the UK, with 33 percent expressing opposition and 45 percent undecided.
