Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning a return to the United Kingdom, a development that insiders suggest could provoke a strong negative reaction from Prince William. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex intend to establish a home outside of London and have already enrolled their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in British educational institutions, marking a significant shift more than six years after their relocation to the United States.
The couple's decision to move back to Britain is expected to be a shock to Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales. Their last public appearance together with Harry and Meghan was in 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Sources indicate that Prince William is likely to be "apoplectic" due to the strained relationship with his brother. Harry has made numerous accusations against William, Kate, King Charles, and Queen Camilla since the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggested that the Sussexes' return could lead to the establishment of two rival royal households, one led by William and the other by Harry. He also noted that Harry's presence in the UK would make it more difficult for William to avoid a reconciliation.
The relationship between the brothers has been notably strained, contrasting with their earlier closeness. Harry and Meghan were once considered part of the 'Fab Four' alongside William and Kate, but their separate household was announced in March 2019, amid reports of rifts. Tensions reportedly began before Harry's wedding to Meghan, with accusations of snobbery, and worsened significantly after Harry's memoir, "Spare," and his Netflix documentary, which contained public accusations against his brother and the royal family.
In "Spare," Harry accused William of physical assault and recounted an incident involving a Nazi uniform. The Netflix series included claims that Kensington Palace had lied to protect William when denying a story about him bullying Harry out of the royal family. Harry also wrote about a tense meeting with his father, King Charles, after Prince Philip's funeral, where Charles pleaded with his sons to "not make my final years a misery."
Following their return, Harry and Meghan will maintain their status as private individuals and non-working members of the royal family, with no change to their roles. King Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment, was informed of the move shortly before it became public and reportedly welcomes the opportunity to see more of his family. However, the couple will not be offered a "half-in-half-out" arrangement regarding royal duties.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell expressed hope that the Sussexes' return could be part of a broader reconciliation for the royal family, stating that many listeners would welcome their presence. She suggested that the availability of good schools in Britain might be a factor in their decision.
The move may also reignite public debate about the Sussexes in Britain. Recent polling indicates a largely unfavorable view of both Harry and Meghan among the British public. The couple's children, Archie and Lilibet, are expected to begin their new schools next month. The Sussexes will continue to own homes in California and Portugal, and Meghan will operate her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from their new base.
In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back as senior royals, seeking financial independence while still supporting Queen Elizabeth II and splitting their time between the UK and North America. The late Queen ruled at the Sandringham Summit that a "half-in, half-out" approach would not be possible. By March 2020, they had established a permanent home in California, officially stepping down as senior royals and ceasing to use their HRH styles.
This announcement follows Harry's recent efforts to secure safe passage for his wife and children to visit the UK for events related to the Invictus Games. He had been awaiting a security review for such visits. During a previous visit in July, Meghan traveled to the UK with Archie and Lilibet to join Harry for Invictus Games-related events, during which they visited King Charles at his Highgrove home. It is not believed that the prospect of returning to the UK was discussed during that meeting. The Invictus Games are scheduled to take place in Birmingham from July 10 to 27 of the following year.