Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to return to the UK
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are understood to be planning to move their family back to the UK, reports BritPanorama.
Harry and Meghan are set to leave the US later this month for a private, non-royal residence outside London, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The couple’s children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are expected to start attending a British school in September, as noted in the report.
The King was informed on Sunday of the couple’s plans to return, and is said to welcome the chance to see more of his family personally.
Despite their return, it is believed there will be no alteration in their status as private individuals, and they will not be granted a “half-in-half-out” option concerning their roles within the royal framework.
The couple initially relocated to the United States in January 2020 after stepping down as senior royals. In March 2019, Buckingham Palace announced that Harry and Meghan would establish their own household, distancing themselves from the operational structure they had with William and Kate amid reported familial tensions.
By March 2020, they had settled in Los Angeles, California, and officially stepped down as senior royals, ceasing to use their HRH titles. Tensions within the family intensified following their departure, which enabled Harry and Meghan to seek lucrative media deals.
Relations reached a critical point after the publication of Harry’s memoir, which included negative portrayals of the Royal Family and serious allegations regarding its relationship with the press.
King Charles hosted Harry and met with family in July for their first gathering in several years, following a prolonged period of estrangement primarily due to Harry’s public criticisms of his father, stepmother, and brother, expressed during various interviews and his autobiography.
Harry’s recent visit coincided with his losing a final lawsuit regarding privacy breaches against the publisher of the Daily Mail, further complicating family dynamics.
Harry has publicly expressed a desire to mend relations with his 77-year-old father, who is receiving treatment for an undisclosed cancer. Despite past legal conflicts, he underscored his wish for reconciliation, indicating that continual strife is counterproductive.
The unexpected announcement about their relocation back to the UK arrives shortly after the duke’s attempts to arrange safe passage for Meghan and their children to commemorate the countdown to the Invictus Games in Birmingham.
In late June, he awaited a review by the Risk Management Board regarding his security arrangements while coordinating with security personnel to ensure a safe visit.
Meghan eventually visited the UK in July, bringing Archie and Lilibet, and the family met the King for the first time in four years at his Highgrove residence.
In response to the couple’s move, a Home Office spokesperson stated, “The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate,” while maintaining that detailed information on security arrangements is not disclosed to protect individuals’ safety.
Decisions concerning security for royal family members are made collaboratively by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, with input from the Home Office, Metropolitan Police, and royal household based on expert risk assessments.
