Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly planning a return to Britain for an extended period, signaling a potential reassessment of their American ambitions. The move comes approximately six years after they departed royal life for California, where they pursued lucrative media and business ventures.
Sources close to Prince Harry suggest his recent reunion with King Charles left him feeling energized and desirous of spending more time in the UK with his family. The couple, who currently reside in Montecito, California, are understood to be preparing to enroll their children, Archie and Lilibet, in an English school. While they are expected to maintain their Montecito residence and potentially continue working in the U.S., the extended stay in Britain suggests a shift in their strategic focus.
Since arriving in the United States in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed substantial deals with major entertainment companies, including a reported $100 million agreement with Netflix and a $20 million contract with Spotify, aiming to establish themselves as significant figures in Hollywood. Archewell Productions was established with the goal of creating documentaries, films, and television shows. Meghan also embarked on establishing a lifestyle brand.
However, several high-profile projects have faced challenges. The Spotify deal concluded in June 2023, with one executive publicly criticizing the couple. Meghan's podcast series, 'Archetypes,' ended with the Spotify contract, and her subsequent podcast 'Confessions of a Female Founder' did not achieve significant cultural impact. Their Netflix contract has also ended, with shows like 'With Love, Meghan' lasting only two seasons. A jointly produced documentary, 'Cookie Queens,' reportedly underperformed at the box office, being outperformed by a compilation of internet cat videos.
Meghan's lifestyle brand, initially launched as American Riviera Orchard and later renamed As Ever, has seen a slow rollout of products. Other initiatives, such as the 40x40 mentoring program and the children's book 'The Bench,' have not evolved into broader commercial enterprises as perhaps envisioned.
Despite these challenges, the couple has maintained a high public profile, with their projects consistently generating headlines. Their Netflix docuseries 'Harry & Meghan' and Harry's memoir 'Spare' achieved significant success. However, subsequent projects, including the Netflix series 'Polo' and 'Heart of Invictus,' did not garner the same level of attention or critical acclaim.
Reports have also indicated staff turnover within their organization. Despite these setbacks, Buckingham Palace's official stance remains that there will be no change to their status as private individuals and non-working members of the Royal Family. Sources close to the couple have emphasized that they are not seeking a return to working royal duties.
The Sussexes' return to Britain comes against a backdrop of these professional developments, marking a significant chapter in their post-royal journey.