Harry and Meghan Plan Extended UK Stay With Children

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are preparing for an extended stay in Britain with their two children, a move that could signal a thaw in relations with the royal family. The couple, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California, have enrolled Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, in British schools, with classes beginning in September.

The family will reside at a private, non-royal property outside London while maintaining their homes in Montecito, California, and Portugal. They will not resume working royal roles, continuing instead with their commercial ventures. Meghan will run her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from the UK, while Harry focuses on his British-based charity work.

The announcement comes after years of strained relations, particularly between Harry and his father, King Charles III, who is undergoing cancer treatment, and his brother, Prince William. Harry has recently expressed a desire for reconciliation, telling the BBC last year, "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore."

A recent visit last month, where the children met their grandfather for the first time since 2022, was seen as a positive step. However, reports suggest the King was only informed of the couple's plans on Sunday, a detail that has raised eyebrows among royal commentators.

While Harry's relationship with his father appears to be improving, healing the rift with William may prove more difficult. The brothers' relationship has been strained by public grievances aired in a 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, a Netflix documentary series, and Harry's 2023 memoir, "Spare."

Harry has also been locked in legal battles over security arrangements and privacy, having previously stated he couldn't see a world where he would bring his family back to the UK without a security guarantee. His return raises questions about whether his security assessment has changed. The couple's legal battles with the tabloid press are largely concluded, though they face significant legal costs from a recent case loss.