The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to move back to the United Kingdom later this month, according to multiple reports confirmed by the BBC and other news outlets .
Prince Harry and Meghan intend to relocate from their home in Montecito, California, to a private, non-royal residence outside London . Their children, seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet, are reportedly enrolled to start at a British school in September .
King Charles was informed of the planned relocation on Sunday, August 16 . While the King welcomes the opportunity to see more of the Sussex family in a private and personal capacity, the BBC understands there will be no change to their official status as private individuals .
Prince William and Princess Catherine have also been informed of the couple’s plans .
The move comes more than six years after the couple stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California in early 2020 . Family relations had been strained since, with July’s visit to the King and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House marking a key development. It was the first time the King had seen his grandchildren in person in more than four years .
Security for the couple has long been a point of tension. Prince Harry previously said that worries about safety have prevented him from bringing his family to the UK . Last year, he lost a legal challenge over the level of security he and his family are entitled to while in the UK .
Following the announcement, a Home Office spokesperson said decisions on royal security are taken by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, and the UK government’s protective security system is “rigorous and proportionate” .
The return comes after Harry’s July visit to the UK, during which he promoted the Invictus Games, which will be hosted in Birmingham next year . The visit was overshadowed by his High Court loss in a privacy case against Associated Newspapers .
