Prince news
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The gist
Prince Harry and Meghan will move back to the UK with children Archie and Lilibet. The move signals a possible thaw in royal family tensions after years of estrangement.
Background
Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to Montecito, California, citing media intrusion and seeking financial independence. Their departure, dubbed 'Megxit', strained relations with the royal family, particularly after Harry's 2023 memoir 'Spare' and the couple's 2021 Oprah interview. The move back to the UK, first reported by The Telegraph and The Sun, comes after a period of tentative reconciliation, including a meeting between Harry and King Charles last year.
How it unfolded
- Jan 2020Harry and Meghan announce they are stepping back as senior royals and later move to California.
- 2021The couple give an interview to Oprah Winfrey, discussing tensions within the royal family.
- 2023Harry publishes his memoir 'Spare', further straining relations with his father and brother.
- Aug 2024Harry and William attend their uncle's funeral together, but remain distant.
- Jul 2026Harry meets King Charles at Highgrove, the first time the king sees his Sussex grandchildren in four years.
- Aug 19, 2026The Telegraph and The Sun report that Harry and Meghan will move back to the UK, with children enrolled in British schools.
- Aug 20, 2026William and Kate arrive at Balmoral, where the royal family is gathering, amid reports they are not delighted about the move.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- King Charles was informed of the move on Sunday and is looking forward to seeing more of the family, according to a source.
- Analysts
- Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the announcement would make William 'apoplectic'.
- Public
- A Montecito resident, Susanne, expressed sadness over the family division, saying 'It's sad that it's been divided.'
Still unverified
The exact timing of the move is not confirmed; reports say the family will likely move within two weeks. The couple has not publicly commented on the move.