Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have returned to the United Kingdom with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, marking a major change for the Sussex family more than six years after they moved to the United States.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at Birmingham International Airport on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, aboard a private flight from California. The family is expected to remain in Britain for an extended period as their children prepare to start at a British school in September.
The return has attracted significant attention because Harry and Meghan left Britain in 2020 after stepping down as senior working members of the Royal Family.
Their latest move, however, does not mean they are returning to royal duties.
The Sussexes will continue to live as non-working members of the Royal Family.
Harry and Meghan stepped back from their official royal responsibilities in early 2020 and subsequently established a home in Montecito, California.
Since then, they have built independent careers, with Meghan developing lifestyle and business projects while Harry has focused heavily on charitable work, including his long-standing involvement with the Invictus Games.
The couple will establish a private family life in Britain while continuing their professional commitments. Harry, Meghan and their children are expected to make a private residence outside London their British base.
The family is widely reported to have chosen an area in the Cotswolds, providing them with a quieter environment away from the centre of royal life. The move will also place Harry closer to London and his family while allowing the Sussexes to maintain a degree of privacy.
The couple will continue to retain their home in Montecito, California, meaning the move does not represent a complete departure from their American life. They are expected to travel between Britain and the United States as their work and business commitments require.
Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, have been enrolled at a British school and are expected to begin classes in September. The Sussexes have not publicly disclosed the name of the school.
The decision will give both children greater exposure to British life and their father’s heritage after spending most of their young lives in California. It could also provide them with more opportunities to spend time with members of the Royal Family.
Harry’s return comes amid efforts to improve his relationship with his family. His relationship with the Royal Family has remained strained since his departure from royal duties.
His interviews, documentaries and memoir Spare revealed deeply personal details about his experiences within the monarchy and his relationship with senior royals. His relationship with his brother, Prince William, has been particularly difficult.
Harry has nevertheless continued to show an interest in maintaining contact with his father, King Charles, and in ensuring that Archie and Lilibet develop a relationship with their grandfather.
