Prince Harry stated in May 2025 that he could not envision a scenario where he would relocate his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children back to the United Kingdom, citing significant security concerns and a desire for his children to experience their homeland.
"I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point," Harry told the BBC in an interview. He expressed that he loved his country but acknowledged that some individuals within it had acted in ways that complicated his feelings. "And the things that they’re gonna miss is, well, everything."
Despite his reservations, he emphasized that he missed the UK and found it "really quite sad" that he might not be able to show his children their heritage. At the time, he also voiced a desire for "reconciliation" with his family, while acknowledging that the release of his memoir, "Spare," in 2023 might prevent some family members from forgiving him. "Life is precious," he added.
This statement contrasts with the recent confirmation that Harry and Markle are planning to return to the UK for an "extended period," with their children expected to enroll in a local school. Sources indicated that King Charles III was informed of the decision on Sunday and looks forward to spending more personal time with the couple. However, the King's clarity remains that their status as private individuals and non-working members of the royal family will not change.
An insider suggested that the couple's decision to spend more time with Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, is a primary motivator for the move. Harry, 41, and Markle, 45, originally stepped back from their senior royal roles and moved to California in January 2020. They purchased a $14.6 million home in Montecito, where they have been raising their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
At the time of their departure from senior royal duties, they stated their intention to transition to a new role within the institution while working towards financial independence and continuing to support Queen Elizabeth II. The late Queen passed away in September 2022 at the age of 96.