Prince Harry and Meghan are relocating their family to a private, non-royal residence outside of London later this month, marking an extended stay in the United Kingdom that could help repair a rift with the royal family. The move follows the couple's decision to depart their roles as working members of the family six years ago.
New Life Outside Royal Duties
The couple's children, Prince Archie, age 7, and Princess Lilibet, age 5, have already been enrolled at British schools and are scheduled to begin classes this September. While the family intends to make the United Kingdom their primary residence for an extended period, they will maintain their current homes in the Southern California enclave of Montecito and their Portuguese vacation property in Costa Terra, south of Lisbon.
Despite the relocation, there are no plans for Harry or Meghan to resume their roles as working members of the royal family. The couple previously abandoned those roles to seek financial independence and privacy, eventually earning a living through contracts with Netflix, Spotify, and other ventures. Meghan intends to continue heading her As Ever company, which sells tea, wine, and high-priced jams, from the United Kingdom, while Harry can focus on his British-based charities.
Timing of the Move
The announcement comes after a period of sporadic visits to the United Kingdom. During a visit last month, the family spent time with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House, a country estate located west of London. That visit marked the first time the children had seen their grandfather since the late Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee in 2022.
According to reports from The Telegraph and People, King Charles III was only informed of the upcoming move on Sunday. This news follows the July visit where the family's relocation plans were reportedly not discussed. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond noted that if she were the king, she would find it entirely odd that the couple did not mention the move while visiting for tea.
A History of Family Tension
The decision to return to the United Kingdom follows years of strained relations between Harry and the royal family. The rift widened following a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey and a Netflix series that aired grievances regarding the palace's treatment of Meghan's mental health. During that time, the couple alleged that at least one member of the royal family expressed racist views while Meghan was pregnant with their first child.
Further damage was caused by Harry's 2023 memoir, "Spare," which included allegations that his brother, Prince William, physically attacked him during an argument. Harry also described Queen Camilla as "dangerous" and claimed she worked to rehabilitate her image at the expense of others. Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggested the surprise announcement may make Prince William "apoplectic," though Harry's presence may make it harder for his brother to avoid reconciliation.
Security Concerns and Legal Battles
A central point of contention in the family dispute has been Harry's security detail. After stepping away from royal duties in January 2020, Harry's security was downgraded to being evaluated on a case-by-case basis for each visit to the United Kingdom. Harry has previously expressed that he would not bring his wife and children back to the U.K. without a security guarantee, citing concerns over the media and the death of his mother, Princess Diana.
While the specific security arrangements for the upcoming move have not been revealed, the return raises questions regarding whether the government committee that reviews VIP protection has provided a new assessment of Harry's risk or if his requirements have changed.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The move comes as Harry continues to manage significant legal expenses. While he has won judgments against certain publishers, including the Daily Mirror, and reached a settlement with the Sun, he recently lost a case against the Daily Mail. A judge is expected to rule on the amount the Mail must pay in legal costs for a case involving Harry and other public figures, including Elton John, on Friday.
