Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly planning an extended return to the United Kingdom, with their children, Archie and Lilibet, set to enroll in a British school. This move signifies a full circle for the couple, who sensationally stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the United States in 2020.
While the family will reside in the UK, sources indicate they will not be rejoining the royal fold and will live in a private residence. The decision to return is speculated to stem from a combination of factors, including the conclusion of lucrative television deals, financial considerations, public relations challenges, and strained relationships within Hollywood. Some reports suggest Meghan Markle may have jeopardized her standing in the U.S.
Since their departure from royal life, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have pursued various ventures. In January 2020, they announced their intention to step back as senior royals, seeking financial independence and more time in North America. By March 2020, they had carried out their last official engagement and moved to Montecito, California.
The couple subsequently signed multi-year deals with Netflix in September 2020, intending to produce a range of content. Meghan also shared her experience of miscarriage in November 2020. In December 2020, they partnered with Spotify for Archewell Audio, leading to Meghan's show "Archetypes" which began airing in 2022.
Their second child, Lilibet, was announced in February 2021, coinciding with the confirmation that their split from working royal roles was permanent. In March 2021, the couple participated in a widely publicized interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which Meghan spoke about experiencing racism within the royal household and her struggles with mental health. Harry also expressed feeling let down by his father, King Charles, and distanced from his brother, William.
After welcoming Lilibet in June 2021, the couple returned to the UK in June 2022 for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. They were in Britain in September 2022 when Queen Elizabeth II passed away, attending the funeral and subsequent mourning events.
Further ventures included a six-part Netflix documentary, "Harry & Meghan," released in December 2022. Prince Harry's memoir, "Spare," published in January 2023, detailed personal accounts of his life and experiences within the Royal Family. In May 2023, Harry attended King Charles III's coronation, though he was seated separately from senior working royals.
The couple ended their Spotify deal in June 2023. Their various activities in subsequent years included a visit to Nigeria in May 2024 and events in Colombia in August 2024 focusing on online safety and women's issues.
In early 2025, they assisted wildfire victims in California. The show "With Love, Meghan" launched on Netflix in March 2025, receiving mixed reviews. Also in March 2025, Harry resigned from Sentebale, a charity he co-founded, citing a breakdown in relations with the chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, who in turn accused him and former trustees of attempting to remove her due to her raising concerns about misconduct.
Meghan launched her lifestyle brand, As Ever, in April 2025, with initial products selling out quickly. The brand later expanded to include alcoholic beverages. An inquiry by the Charity Commission in August 2025 found no evidence of widespread misconduct at Sentebale but criticized both parties for the public nature of the dispute, which damaged the charity's reputation.
In April 2026, the couple visited Australia, and in July 2026, they reportedly stayed on the Scottish island Tanera Mor. During this period, they also had a meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove estate. Prince Harry later surprised Meghan during an appearance on MasterChef Australia with a FaceTime call.
In other news, Meghan celebrated her 45th birthday on August 6, 2026, by sharing photos of herself jumping into a pool on social media.