Sources close to the Sussexes have confirmed to BBC News that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, intend to return to the United Kingdom later this month. The couple plans to establish a private residence outside London, marking their first permanent relocation to the UK since stepping back from royal duties in early 2020.

Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are set to begin their education at a British school in September. The move was disclosed to King Charles over the weekend, though palace officials have clarified that neither Harry nor Meghan will resume their roles as working members of the Royal Family.

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace stated that the King was previously unaware of the couple’s plans but expressed support for the opportunity to spend more time with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren in a personal capacity. The official status of the Sussexes will remain unchanged, with both continuing as private citizens.

Prince William and Princess Catherine have also been informed of the decision. The couple’s return follows a period of strained family relations, though recent developments suggest a thawing in tensions. In July, the Sussexes visited the King and Queen Camilla at Highgrove, their first family gathering in over four years. The palace described the occasion as a "private family event."

The last time Harry and Meghan were in the UK together was in 2022, when they attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Security arrangements have been a persistent issue, with the Duke’s request for police protection during his July visit initially rejected. Last year, Harry lost a legal challenge to restore the level of security he received as a working royal before relocating to the United States.

In response to inquiries about the couple’s return, a Home Office spokesperson reiterated that security decisions for members of the Royal Family are determined by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec). The government maintains that its protective security measures are both rigorous and proportionate.

The Duke has previously cited safety concerns as a barrier to visiting the UK with his family. During his most recent trip in July, he promoted the 2027 Invictus Games, set to be held in Birmingham. However, the visit was overshadowed by a High Court ruling against him in a privacy case involving Associated Newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday.

Harry and several other high-profile claimants alleged that the newspaper group employed unlawful methods to obtain information, a charge vehemently denied by the publisher. In court testimony earlier this year, the Duke described the media scrutiny of his relationship with Meghan as having made his wife’s life "an absolute misery."