Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to return to UK in 2026

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to relocate from the United States to the United Kingdom by the end of August 2026, according to reports from British media. The move marks the end of a six-year period during which the couple lived in California after stepping down as working royals in 2020.

The couple intends to reside in a private, non-royal home located outside London. The Telegraph reported that a new house has already been chosen, but it will not be one of the official royal residences. This decision underscores the couple’s intent to maintain a private life separate from the institutional structures of the monarchy.

Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, have reportedly been enrolled in a British school for the start of the academic year in early September. The specific institution has not been identified, but the enrolment suggests a long-term commitment to the move rather than a temporary visit.

King Charles III was informed of the relocation on Sunday. The Press Agency reported that the monarch welcomes the opportunity to see the family more frequently in a personal capacity. However, it was explicitly stated that there would be no change in the couple’s status, and they will not regain their roles as working royals.

The return follows a private meeting between the family and King Charles III in early July 2026. This visit was the first time the children had seen their grandfather since 2022. The monarch, who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and has been receiving treatment, has not had the specific type of his illness revealed.

The couple’s departure from the UK in 2020 was marked by significant tension with the royal family, a rift that deepened after Prince Harry published his memoir, Spare. While the current move signals a potential reconciliation, the couple’s status remains strictly private, with no official duties or public engagements attached to their return.