Six years after leaving the UK, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to Britain later this month, with plans in place for their children, Prince Archie, seven, and five-year-old Princess Lilibet to begin school when term starts in September.
HELLO! understands King Charles was first made aware of these plans on Sunday, August 16, 2026, and that although he is pleased he will have more opportunity to see his son and grandchildren, there will be no alterations to Harry or Meghan's status within the royal family in accordance with previous decisions.
It is thought that Harry and Meghan will maintain their home in Montecito, California, but will establish "a private, non-royal home base in Britain" outside of London. They also have a vacation home in Portugal.
They previously lived in Frogmore Cottage, the Windsor residence gifted to them by the late Queen Elizabeth. The King, 77, asked them to vacate the property for good in 2023.
The decision comes a year after Harry told Joss Stone that he thought schools in the UK were "wonderful," and "how important community is for children."
"It was nice to share that with him because it’s exactly why we felt drawn to come back – for the kids to grow up surrounded by family, friends, and a strong sense of belonging and most importantly in a safe environment," Joss shared with HELLO! at the 2025 WellChild Awards.
Archie will be entering Year 3, the first year of junior education in the UK, while Lililbet will be in Year 1, the second year of infant education.
© Archewell FoundationThe move comes as Harry continues to await news regarding a 2026 review after Harry and Meghan both lost taxpayer-funded police protection when they stepped down from the royal family.
The decision became a years-long legal battle, however, it appears he and his team may have worked out a plan that ensures their safety, as the family of four returned to British soil in July.
© Getty ImagesDuring that visit Harry and his family spent time with his father and his stepmother Queen Camilla at their Highgrove home in Gloucestershire.
Following the meet-up, friends of the Prince said he was feeling "buoyed, very happy, and really energised", according to The Times.
It also marked the first time Harry's children had seen their grandfather in person since they visited in 2022 for the late Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, an opportunity that will now increase with their decision to move.
© GettyHarry also undertook public appearances in support of the 2027 Invictus Games which will take place in Birmingham.
As the family settle into their new life in the UK, Harry will remain busy as it is thought he will attend the 2026 WellChild Awards, a UK charity he has been a royal patron of since 2007, in the first few weeks of his return.
© John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess, who married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May 2018, left Britain in 2020 amid an increasingly and publicly strained relationship with Harry's family – particularly Harry’s brother, Prince William, 44.
In January 2020, they announced they intended to step back as “senior” members of the royal family, splitting their time between the UK and the US, becoming financially independent while still supporting the Queen.
However, the proposed "half-in, half-out" model was rejected by the Queen and senior royals, ruling that working royals cannot mix official duties with private commercial ventures.
By March 2020, they had set up a permanent home in Los Angeles, California, after a stint in Canada, and on March 31 2020 stepped down as senior royals and stopped using their HRH styles.
Tensions became worse when the pair made shocking claims during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, as well as the release of their Harry & Meghan Netflix docuseries and Harry’s memoir, Spare.
