Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, returned to the United Kingdom on August 26, 2026, flying privately from California [1, 2, 3, 4]. The family landed at Birmingham Airport and planned to live in a private residence outside London, with some reports specifying the Cotswolds region as their new home [1, 2, 3, 4].
The couple intend to remain in the UK for an extended period. Archie and Lilibet will begin school in the UK in September 2026, although the exact school has not been publicly disclosed [1, 2, 3, 4]. Harry and Meghan will not be residing in any royal residences and are not expected to perform official royal duties. They remain non-working members of the royal family [1, 2, 4].
Harry and Meghan left the UK and stepped down as working royals in 2020 to pursue independent careers and avoid intense media scrutiny, relocating to California at that time [2, 3, 4]. Despite their return, they will maintain their California home alongside their new UK residence [2, 3].
Reports indicate Harry's relationship with King Charles III has improved in 2026, with visits occurring between family members, although Harry remains largely estranged from his brother, Prince William [2, 3, 4]. King Charles was reportedly informed of their relocation plans only days before the announcement became public [2, 3, 4].
Questions remain about what level of publicly funded security the couple will receive after returning. Harry has lost prior legal challenges seeking restoration of such protection [3, 4].
Meghan may return to acting with a Netflix project to be filmed in the UK, though the status of this project is unclear and may no longer be underway [4].
