Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's U.K. Return After Six Years in California

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have officially relocated back to the United Kingdom from California after spending six years away from the country. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, settling into a new chapter outside of London proper. The timing of the late August 2026 move was primarily driven by the children's enrollment in a local British school for the fall semester.

The family has chosen to live outside of central London, providing a quieter environment for their children. Alongside their new U.K. base, the couple intends to keep their residence in Montecito, California, as well as a vacation home in Portugal. While adapting to the new surroundings, Meghan is set to continue operating her As Ever lifestyle brand from their new home.

Meghan offered the public a first look at their adjusted family life through a social media video montage shared on September 12, 2026. The footage featured the couple walking in the British countryside while Princess Lilibet rode a bicycle down a driveway with Prince Archie cheering her on. Shortly after the relocation, Meghan was photographed in England meeting friends Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi at a pub in Oxfordshire. Best friend Kelly McKee Zajfen also visited the family in September, sharing photos of their time together in the countryside while Prince Harry played with Zajfen's son.

Despite moving back across the Atlantic, the couple is not resuming working royal duties. King Charles III clarified their status in a letter obtained by multiple outlets, explaining that their charitable endeavors remain a personal matter undertaken in a private capacity. Their current standing functions similarly to private citizens maintaining commercial and charitable interests. Prince Harry publicly addressed the transition during the Invictus Spirit Awards on September 17, acknowledging to attendees that the preceding weeks had been eventful.

Following the enrollment of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in their local school, the family encountered a security issue involving photographers. A representative for the Duke and Duchess addressed the incident after photographers were spotted walking along the school perimeter and monitoring children on the grounds. The spokesperson criticized the behavior as an unacceptable intrusion and an extraordinary lack of judgment, drawing a distinction between standard media activity and monitoring children at school.

The family continues to navigate their private life and commercial projects following the high-profile return to the United Kingdom, balancing their new routines outside London with ongoing security and privacy concerns.