The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has shared a photo on the Instagram account of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, depicting her in a garden setting. The image, captioned 'Soaking in the last of summer in the garden,' was posted shortly after her and Prince Harry's arrival in the UK for what sources describe as an extended stay. The couple, along with their children Archie and Lilibet, arrived in Britain on August 26 and are reportedly residing in the Cotswolds, where the children have been enrolled in a new school.
While the photo might seem like a typical lifestyle post, its timing and content have led to speculation. The image shows Meghan appearing to forage from a garden, with a basket and multicoloured eggs in the foreground, hinting at a temporary farewell to their Montecito home. Reports suggest their chickens are staying in California, though their dogs, Pula and Mia, have accompanied them to the UK. The Sussexes reportedly spent their last weekend in California with friends and Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, before their departure.
Sources close to the couple told People magazine that their move was not a permanent goodbye but rather a temporary shift, stating, 'It was much more, "We'll be back, but this is what we're doing right now."'. They noted that the decision was planned and felt right for their family, though adjusting to the change will take time, as Meghan particularly cherishes their life in Montecito.
The Sussexes' return to the UK has also brought renewed attention to Prince Harry's security arrangements. The Duke lost a legal challenge last year after seeking to reinstate the same level of royal-funded protection he had as a working royal, which was removed following their step back from royal duties in 2020. He had previously stated he could not envision bringing his wife and children back to the UK without such security. However, upon their arrival at Birmingham Airport, the family was met by a private security convoy, including Harry's confidant David Langdown. This private security team is not permitted to carry firearms in the UK.
Harry reportedly gave the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), which oversees security decisions, less than the standard notice for their trip, amid concerns of a leak. King Charles III was reportedly informed of their return just 10 days prior to their touchdown. Harry has also reportedly written to the Home Secretary, seeking intervention after learning that Ravec allegedly did not inform him of an Al-Qaeda assassination plot in 2023.
While the specific reason for the extended stay remains unconfirmed, speculation has also surfaced regarding Meghan's potential return to acting. Conflicting reports have linked her to a role in the upcoming third series of Netflix's 'The Gentlemen,' a spin-off of Guy Ritchie's film. When asked about these rumors, Netflix's UK head of scripted series, Manda Levin, responded cryptically, 'All bets are off'.
A Government spokesperson stated that the UK's protective security system is rigorous and proportionate, but declined to provide specific details on arrangements. Public opinion in Britain, according to a YouGov poll, largely favors the Sussexes covering their own security costs, with 71% of British adults holding this view.