Key Takeaways
- Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have not publicly confirmed their reported move from Montecito, California back to the United Kingdom.
- The family intends to settle in a private, non‑royal residence near London, with Archie and Lilibet set to start school in the UK in September.
- Their former UK home, Frogmore Cottage, was vacated in 2023 and is no longer available to them.
- Neither Buckingham Palace nor Kensington Palace has commented on the relocation; King Charles III was informed privately in mid‑August.
- Harry and Meghan last visited the UK in July 2026, meeting Charles and Camilla but not seeing William, Kate, or their children.
- There are no plans for the Sussexes to resume senior royal duties; they will remain private, non‑working royals.
- The couple has not disclosed what will happen to their Montecito property, though reports suggest they may keep it alongside a residence in Portugal.
- Prince Harry has not obtained U.S. citizenship; he has mentioned considering it but does not prioritize the process.
- Security arrangements for the family in the UK have not been announced; Harry lost a legal appeal to retain publicly funded security after stepping back from royal roles.
Introduction
The Sussexes’ potential return to the United Kingdom has generated widespread interest after more than six years of living in Montecito, California. The move, first reported by The Telegraph, signals a significant shift for Prince Harry and Meghan, who stepped away from senior royal duties in 2020 in a decision popularly dubbed “Megxit.” While the couple has not issued an official statement, multiple sources have disclosed details about their intended residence, schooling plans for their children, and the broader implications for their royal status. This article consolidates what is known—and what remains uncertain—about the Sussexes’ planned relocation, drawing on recent reports and confirmed comments from royal insiders.
Have Harry and Meghan spoken publicly about their move to the UK?
As of the latest updates, neither Prince Harry nor Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has made a public announcement confirming their relocation from California to the United Kingdom. The couple, who married in 2018, has maintained silence on the matter, leaving journalists and royal watchers to rely on leaks and unnamed sources. The Telegraph broke the story based on information from individuals familiar with the Sussexes’ plans, but the duchess and duke have not corroborated those claims through social media, interviews, or official channels. Their continued silence suggests a preference for handling the transition privately, at least until details are finalized.
Where will Harry, Meghan and their children live?
According to reports, the Sussexes intend to establish a private, non‑royal residence near London, though the exact location has not been disclosed. The family will not return to Frogmore Cottage, their former UK home, which they were asked to vacate in 2023 after stepping back from royal duties. Instead, they are said to be exploring properties that offer both security and a degree of normalcy for their children, Archie and Lilibet. The choice of a non‑royal setting underscores their desire to live outside the formal structures of the monarchy while maintaining proximity to the UK for family and educational reasons.
Royal family comments on the move?
Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have refrained from issuing any official statements regarding Harry and Meghan’s planned move. A source close to King Charles III indicated that the monarch was first made aware of the Sussexes’ intention to return to the UK on Sunday, August 16, 2026, through a private channel. Neither the king nor his consort, Queen Camilla, have publicly addressed the development, and there has been no comment from Prince William, Kate, Princess of Wales, or their households. The lack of commentary reflects the palace’s customary approach to personal matters involving former senior royals, opting instead to allow the Sussexes to manage their affairs privately.
When was the last time Harry, Meghan and their kids visited the UK?
The Sussexes’ most recent visit to the United Kingdom occurred in July 2026, when Prince Harry undertook several public engagements in his home country. During that trip, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet remained out of the public eye, though a royal source confirmed that Charles and Camilla met with the couple and their grandchildren. This meeting marked the first time the king and queen consort had seen Meghan and the children since 2022. Notably, the Sussexes did not encounter William, Kate, or their three children while in the UK, underscoring the continued distance between the two branches of the family.
Will Harry, Meghan become working royals again?
There are currently no indications that Prince Harry and Meghan intend to resume senior royal roles. A source familiar with the matter told ABC News that King Charles III is clear that the Sussexes’ status as private, non‑working royals will remain unchanged, honoring the couple’s explicitly stated wishes and the agreement reached when they stepped back in 2020. Under that arrangement, Harry and Meghan relinquished the use of their “His/Her Royal Highness” titles, ceased representing the monarch in official capacities, and forfeited access to public funds for royal duties, thereby allowing them to pursue independent commercial ventures.
Do Harry and Meghan plan to keep their Montecito home?
The future of the Sussexes’ Montecito, California property remains uncertain. They have not issued an official statement regarding whether they will sell, lease, or retain the residence they have occupied since 2020. According to The Telegraph, there is speculation that the couple may maintain their Californian home while also establishing a base in Portugal, suggesting a transatlantic lifestyle that balances personal, professional, and familial considerations. Until the Sussexes clarify their intentions, the status of their Montecito estate will remain a subject of speculation.
Did Harry become a US citizen?
Prince Harry has not obtained United States citizenship during his six‑year residency in California. Documents released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2023—following a Freedom of Information Act request by the Heritage Foundation—showed that Harry did not receive preferential treatment in his visa application process. In a 2024 interview with ABC News’ Will Reeve, Harry acknowledged that he has contemplated applying for American citizenship but emphasized that it is not a current priority. He added that he is unsure what might deter him from pursuing the process. Meghan, by contrast, is a natural‑born U.S. citizen, having been born in California, while their son Archie was born in the UK in 2019 and their daughter Lilibet in California in 2021.
Will Harry and Meghan have government-funded security in the UK?
The security arrangements for the Sussexes upon their return to the United Kingdom have not been publicly disclosed. Prince Harry previously lost a legal appeal challenging the British government’s decision to reduce his publicly funded protection after he and Meghan stepped back from senior royal roles. Consequently, the couple has relied on a privately financed security team while residing in California. Whether they will seek state‑provided protection, continue with private security, or adopt a hybrid model remains unknown, pending official clarification from either the Sussexes or relevant UK authorities.
This summary consolidates the currently available information regarding Prince Harry and Meghan’s reported relocation to the United Kingdom, highlighting both confirmed details and outstanding questions as of late August 2026.