Prince Harry and Meghan return to UK after six years but will remain outside royal duties

London, United Kingdom, August 20, 2026 — Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are preparing to move back to the United Kingdom with their two children after six years in the United States, marking a major change in the couple’s post-royal life while stopping short of a return to official royal duties.

Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior working members of the British royal family in 2020 and subsequently moved to California. Their decision to return to Britain is expected to bring them physically closer to King Charles III and the wider royal family, although the couple are expected to continue living as private citizens rather than working royals.

The move follows a private meeting between Harry, Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove in July. The meeting, which was kept out of the public spotlight, was seen as a possible sign of an improvement in the relationship between Harry and his father after years of tension.

The relationship between Harry and Charles has shown signs of thawing in recent years. When Charles was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, the King personally informed Harry, who travelled to Britain shortly afterwards. Harry has also publicly expressed a desire to repair his relationship with his family.

However, the Sussexes' return does not mean they are rejoining the working royal family. There are no public plans for Harry and Meghan to resume official royal duties, and the palace is reportedly opposed to the “half-in, half-out” arrangement the couple had previously proposed.

Their relationship with Harry's elder brother, Prince William, also remains strained. A source close to the brothers told People in July that there had been no contact between them, despite Harry's efforts to improve relations with other members of the family.

Security remains one of the most significant issues surrounding the move. Harry has spent years challenging the decision to withdraw publicly funded police protection for his family when they are in Britain. His final legal challenge over his security arrangements was unsuccessful, and the couple's arrangements for protection after their return have not been publicly disclosed.