The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are preparing to move back to Britain, six years after leaving for North America. Settling in a private residence located outside London, the couple have already enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in local British schools ahead of the upcoming term.
No Change to Royal Status
This sudden decision will not alter their current status as non-working royals or affect their ongoing status as private citizens. King Charles was first notified of his son's intentions on August 17, just three days before the plans became public knowledge. The King is understood to welcome the chance to spend quality time with his family on a personal level. However, official royal roles will remain unchanged, with no option provided for a partial working arrangement within the monarchy.
Potential for Fresh Friction Between Brothers
Prince William is understood to remain distant from his brother after several years of public accusations against senior members of the household. Royal experts believe the move could create fresh friction between the brothers as they navigate living in the same country once again, reports PA.
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt suggested the surprise return is likely to have left William "apoplectic". Hunt said: "In the long term, the return of the Sussexes to the UK opens up the prospect of two rival courts, William's and Harry's. In the short term, Harry will be able to deepen his rapprochement with his father. And his presence back home will make it harder for his brother to duck a reconciliation. The surprise return of Harry and Meghan is likely to have left William apoplectic."
Mixed Public Opinion
Recent opinion polls show mixed views among the British public regarding the couple's return following years of intense media coverage. Surveys indicate that significant numbers of people still hold critical views about their decision to step back from public life.
Archie, 7, and Lili, 5, will start attending their new school classrooms from September. Meanwhile, the family plans to retain their existing base in California alongside their overseas property in Portugal.
Commercial Ventures Continue
The duchess will also continue operating her commercial lifestyle brand, As Ever, alongside her everyday routine from their new British home. The move follows a long series of changes that began when the couple first split their official household from Prince William and Princess Kate in March 2019.
By January 2020, the couple announced their plan to step away from senior duties to seek financial independence while living abroad. Following discussions at Sandringham, the late Queen Elizabeth II confirmed they could not hold a hybrid role within the monarchy.
The couple permanently settled in Montecito by March 2020, formally giving up their active royal status and stopping the use of their HRH titles. The news of their move follows recent efforts by Prince Harry to arrange appropriate travel arrangements for family visits to Britain. The Prince brought his family to visit King Charles at Highgrove in July, shortly before plans for the upcoming Invictus Games were finalised.
Security Arrangements
Official security decisions for high-profile figures continue to be managed independently by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures. On Wednesday evening, a Home Office spokesperson stated: "The UK Government's protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' security."
Decisions surrounding security arrangements remain based on expert assessments provided to the independent committee. Prince Harry was seen attending a veterans' event in Washington DC on Wednesday, while official representatives for the couple have not issued further comment.
