Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Leave California and Return to the UK
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are relocating from Montecito, California, to the United Kingdom in a prolonged move scheduled to begin in late August 2026. According to international coverage confirmed by outlets including Grazia and Elle, the couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are already enrolled in British schools with classes starting in September 2026. The family will maintain their properties in California and Portugal while establishing a private residence in the UK as private citizens without official royal duties.
Timeline, Schooling, and the Decision to Relocate
The decision follows weeks of family discussions and a summer 2026 holiday in Europe that included stays in Portugal, Highgrove, and Althorp, the childhood home of Diana, Princess of Wales. According to reporting cited by Grazia, the summer trip transformed a vague idea into a concrete plan centered around the children’s education and proximity to British roots. Archie, age 7, and Lilibet, age 5, are slated to begin school during the second week of September. This shift brings the family back across the Atlantic six years after their departure in March 2020.
Family Dynamics and Royal Communications
King Charles and Prince William were informed of the relocation plans shortly before public confirmation, according to reports from People and Elle. Sources note that King Charles was informed of the plans the previous weekend and has welcomed the prospect of seeing his grandchildren more frequently in a strictly private context. Relations between Prince Harry and Prince William, however, remain strained, with reports indicating the brothers have not communicated or met since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
While living in Montecito, California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex pursued various media ventures, including docuseries and publishing projects. The new arrangement relies on a private country residence rather than a royal estate, distancing the family from central London and court photography.
Security, Housing, and Future Logistics
Housing arrangements remain strictly private. Media reports indicate the family will not reside in London or a royal property, pointing instead toward a private country home in regions such as the Cotswolds or Northamptonshire near Althorp. This comes after the couple vacated Frogmore Cottage in 2023 at the request of King Charles.
Security concerns have historically been a major hurdle for Prince Harry regarding visits with his wife and children. Following unsuccessful legal challenges regarding state-funded police protection in the UK, the family’s return as private citizens relies on private arrangements.