A royal hiccup: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle are moving back to the UK after years of scrutiny

After years of public scrutiny, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly moving back to Britain with their children, Archie and Lilibet, in the biggest change to their family life since they stepped away from royal duties in 2020, according to PEOPLE. The couple will live in a private home outside London while keeping their Montecito, California, home and a vacation property in Portugal, the report confirmed.

Per PEOPLE, the children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, are set to begin school in the U.K. in September. According to the same report, the move is expected to begin this month, giving the family a new home base in Britain for the first time since they gave up Frogmore Cottage in 2023.

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Security and royal ties in focus

According to the BBC, the return has renewed attention on security, which has long been a sticking point for the Sussexes. Their protection in the U.K. was reduced after they stopped being working royals, and Harry lost a legal challenge last year over the level of security he and his family receive when visiting Britain, as reported by the BBC.

The Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec, will now revisit the couple’s arrangements because their circumstances have changed, the BBC said. The Home Office confirmed Britain’s protective security system is “rigorous and proportionate,” but it does not share details that could weaken security.

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King Charles was told about the move on Sunday and is said to welcome the chance to see his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren more often, according to PEOPLE. The family’s July visit to Highgrove was the first time the King had seen Archie and Lilibet in person in more than four years.

A source close to the couple said the “stars had aligned” for the move, while allies told PEOPLE the Sussexes see it as a way to balance public causes and private life. There are no plans for Harry or Meghan to return as working royals, and their new U.K. chapter is expected to remain private.