Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to return to the United Kingdom this month, six years after leaving royal life behind and establishing a home in California.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are understood to be planning an extended stay in Britain after their children, Archie and Lilibet, were enrolled at a British school.
The move has immediately generated speculation over whether the family intends to spend more time in the country where Harry was raised.
Although the precise length of the stay remains unclear, reports suggest the couple may remain in Britain for the children’s education.
They are also expected to maintain their multimillion-pound California property rather than permanently abandon their American base.
Trump Supporters Link the Move to White House Tensions
The announcement quickly became politically charged after allies of Donald Trump suggested that the Sussexes’ dissatisfaction with the current US administration was partly responsible for their decision.
Katie Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, directly connected the move to the couple’s reported feelings about Trump.
Miller wrote on X that Harry and Meghan were returning to Britain because they did not like the president.
She also criticised Meghan personally, claiming the Duchess had always wanted to be a celebrity and making an unsubstantiated claim about the couple’s finances.
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly also weighed in, responding to discussion about the reversal of so-called “Megxit” with a sarcastic message suggesting the couple had completed their time in America.
The comments underline how Harry and Meghan’s return has become entangled with the political divisions surrounding the Trump administration.
Sussexes Have Not Confirmed Trump as a Reason
Despite the claims from Trump’s allies, there is no confirmation from Harry or Meghan that opposition to the president is the reason for their move.
Reports have pointed instead to a combination of family, education and personal considerations.
The couple have previously made their opposition to some aspects of American political life known, while reports have suggested that they have been increasingly unhappy with the current political climate.
There is also speculation that Harry has become encouraged by the reception Meghan received during a recent visit to Birmingham, while the Duke has reportedly long wanted his children to experience more of the country where he grew up.
Harry Has Clashed With Trump Before
The relationship between Harry and Trump has previously produced public disagreement.
The Duke responded strongly after Trump questioned the commitment of NATO allies during comments about the war in Afghanistan.
Harry, who served in Afghanistan, emphasised the obligation of allied countries to support the United States under NATO’s collective-defence arrangements.
Harry pointed to his own military service and the friends he made and lost during the conflict.
The episode highlighted the potential for political and military issues to become particularly personal for the Duke because of his service history.
King Charles Was Reportedly Caught Off Guard
The Sussexes’ decision also appears to have surprised members of the Royal Family.
King Charles is understood to have learned of Harry’s plans only on Sunday, despite the couple having met with the monarch and other family members at Highgrove earlier this summer.
The King is reportedly pleased at the prospect of seeing more of his son and grandchildren in a private capacity.
However, there is no indication that Harry and Meghan are seeking to resume their former positions within the monarchy.
The couple are expected to remain private individuals and non-working members of the Royal Family, consistent with the arrangements established after their departure.
No Return to Working Royal Duties Planned
The Sussexes’ relocation should not be confused with a return to official royal duties.
They are expected to live in a non-royal residence, although the precise location has not been disclosed because of privacy concerns.
The couple are also expected to retain their £11 million Montecito property and continue to own their residence in Portugal.
Harry had already been due to return to Britain for the WellChild Awards next month and had been expected to stay at Buckingham Palace.
With the wider family now apparently preparing to spend a prolonged period in Britain, those accommodation arrangements are no longer expected to be necessary.
Their Children’s Education Could Shape the Move
The schooling of Archie and Lilibet appears to be one of the most significant practical factors behind the family’s decision.
The children, aged seven and five, are reportedly already enrolled at a British school.
If the family remains in Britain until the children complete their education, the move could represent a much more substantial change than a temporary visit.
At the same time, the absence of confirmation that the relocation is permanent leaves open the possibility of the Sussexes continuing to divide their time between Britain, the United States and Europe.
Their Portuguese property gives the family another established European base.
A Dramatic Reversal Six Years After Megxit
The proposed return represents a remarkable development in the story that began when Harry and Meghan stepped away from their roles as working royals.
The couple married in 2018 and announced their decision to withdraw from royal duties in early 2020.
The move, which quickly became known as “Megxit”, triggered a major dispute over their future relationship with the monarchy.
Queen Elizabeth II subsequently confirmed that the couple would not continue with the responsibilities associated with being working members of the Royal Family and would not operate a “half-in, half-out” arrangement.
Harry later lost his honorary military appointments as part of the changes.
The Sussexes eventually settled permanently in California, where they pursued commercial projects and charitable work away from the traditional structures of royal life.
Old Royal Family Tensions Remain
Harry’s relationship with his father and brother remains one of the most sensitive aspects of the family’s story.
His relationship with Prince William is widely regarded as particularly strained following revelations contained in Harry’s memoir Spare, as well as interviews and the couple’s Netflix projects.
Royal commentator Phil Dampier has argued that the brothers’ relationship has deteriorated substantially and that William remains deeply affected by criticism directed at his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales.
The prospect of Harry spending more time in Britain could therefore create opportunities for private reconciliation, but there is no indication that a full restoration of the brothers’ relationship is imminent.
Charles and Harry Show Signs of a Possible Thaw
Relations between Harry and King Charles appear somewhat less hostile.
The King and his son have had limited contact in recent years, but Harry, Meghan and their children recently visited Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove.
The meeting was significant because Charles had not seen Archie and Lilibet in person for several years.
Harry has also maintained an interest in Britain through his work with the Invictus Games and other charitable causes.
With the next Invictus Games scheduled to take place in Birmingham, there could be further opportunities for him to spend time in the UK and potentially alongside members of his family.
Whether Charles will participate in the opening of the Games remains uncertain.
The Sussexes Are Building a Wider European Presence
The family’s return to Britain is also part of a broader pattern of strengthening their links with Europe.
Harry and Meghan purchased a property in Portugal in 2023 at the Costa Terra resort in Melides.
They and their children have continued to visit the country, including a holiday there shortly before the latest announcement.
The European base gives the couple greater flexibility as they consider how to divide their time between Britain, America and continental Europe.
Their decision to retain the Montecito home also suggests that the latest move should not necessarily be interpreted as a complete withdrawal from the United States.
A New Chapter or Another Royal Shock?
Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain has reopened questions that appeared to have been settled when the couple moved to California.
For Trump’s allies, the announcement has provided an opportunity to portray the Sussexes as rejecting the United States because of the president.
For the Royal Family, however, the more immediate issue appears to be personal rather than political: the prospect of having Harry, Meghan and their children closer to home.
Whether the move becomes permanent remains unknown.
What is clear is that the Sussexes are preparing to spend considerably more time in Britain, while maintaining their American and European connections.
The decision could give Harry greater access to his homeland and his children a closer connection to their father’s family history — but it is unlikely, at least for now, to mean a return to life as working royals.
