Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Britain to begin their new life, landing at Birmingham Airport on a private jet with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex traveled from Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles on a Bombardier Global Express XRS luxury long-range business jet. Upon arrival at Birmingham Airport, they were reportedly transported in a £80,000 Mercedes-Benz V220d. Their faces were not visible in images of their departure from the airport, but they are believed to have been seated in the back of the vehicle, with their children behind them.
David Langdown, Harry's security adviser and a friend of at least 15 years, was reportedly in the front passenger seat. He is understood to have assembled a trusted team of British protection staff for the family. The Sussexes are believed to have arrived without taxpayer-funded police protection, amidst ongoing questions about security costs.
Three cars reportedly arrived at Birmingham Airport around 10 a.m. yesterday, proceeding to the runway shortly after 11 a.m. to await the plane's arrival. The jet landed at 11:57 p.m. and was directed to an area managed by Signature Aviation, a private aircraft ground handling firm. Following the plane's arrival, the vehicles parked near its steps.
The Mercedes carrying the Sussexes reportedly departed the airport by 12:15 p.m., while the other two vehicles remained on the tarmac to be loaded with baggage before leaving approximately 40 minutes later.
The couple chartered the private jet through Planet Nine Private Air, with flight costs estimated at around $12,000 (£9,000) per hour. This move signifies a new chapter for the family, who intend to live as an 'international' family while maintaining residences in California and Portugal.
This return to Britain comes after the couple stepped down as working royals in 2020 and purchased a home in Montecito. Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, are expected to reside in a non-royal property outside of London. Their children, Archie (age 7) and Lilibet (age 5), have been enrolled in UK schools in or around the Cotswolds and are set to begin next week.
The arrival follows a recent visit last month where the children met their grandfather, the King, for the first time in four years at his Highgrove home. Sources close to Harry suggest he has "never really stopped missing home" since leaving Britain six years ago and wishes for his children to understand their family heritage.
Questions surrounding the Sussexes' finances and security arrangements persist. Harry has been engaged in a legal dispute with the Home Office regarding security provisions for his family in the UK, particularly since his security status changed after stepping down as a working royal in 2020. Decisions on protective security for public figures, including the Royal Family, are made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which includes representatives from the Home Office, Metropolitan Police, and Royal Household.