Harry and Meghan to move back to UK this month

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will move back to the UK later this month.

The couple relocated to the US in March 2020 with their son, Archie, who was almost one at the time. They went on to welcome a daughter, Lilibet, while living in California.

Follow latest: Reaction to couple's return

The family will live in a non-royal residence outside London for an extended period, and the children – now aged seven and five – will start at a British school in September.

Sky News understands the King was first made aware of Harry and Meghan's plans on Sunday and welcomes the opportunity to see more of the family in a private and personal capacity.

It is understood there will be no change to the Duke and Duchess's status as non-working members of the Royal Family.

Harry was pictured at an event for US veterans in Washington DC on Wednesday after reports of the Sussexes' return first emerged.

He did not address the reports, instead sticking to discussing his desire to launch a commercial scheme to help former military personnel.

The duke, who served in the army, said military skills were not being utilised in civilian life and he was looking at a "commercial" solution which he said would value "those who served rather than expect them to volunteer".

Harry and Meghan's return comes more than six years after the couple quit the Royal Family.

The Sussexes announced their decision to step back as senior royals in January 2020, and a three-month transition period followed.

By the end of March that year, the couple had left the UK and temporarily stayed in Canada before moving to Montecito, California.

Harry has returned to the UK on just a handful of occasions since, mostly without Meghan and their children.

Charles met his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet for the first time since 2022, when the family visited the UK last month.

'Rigorous and proportionate' security system

Harry previously voiced concerns about the safety of his family while in the UK, after losing a legal battle with the government in 2025 over his level of security, which was downgraded when he stepped down as a working royal.

The Duke and Duchess's security arrangements for their return to the country have not yet been disclosed.

However, a Home Office spokesperson insisted the government's protective security system is "rigorous and proportionate".

"It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' security," the spokesperson added.

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Decisions on security arrangements for members of the Royal Family and other key public figures are taken by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, which comprises the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police and the royal household.

They work together to advise the independent chair on decisions, which are informed by expert risk assessments and in line with government policy.

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