Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Britain alongside their children, Archie and Lilibet, landing via a private flight at Birmingham Airport six years after leaving the country. The arrival marks a return that was reported in preceding days but remained officially unconfirmed by the couple until their aircraft landed.
Attention surrounding the family is now focused on the organisation of daily life for their two young children. Archie and Lilibet are set to attend a British school starting in September as the family seeks a new balance between living in Britain and maintaining their base in California.
The specific school the children will attend has not been named publicly for security reasons, though it is situated close to the family's designated residence in the UK. Archie, aged seven, is expected to enter third grade, while five-year-old Lilibet will start first grade at a co-educational day school rather than a boarding facility.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, relocated to North America after stepping back from their roles as working members of the British royal family in 2020. Prince Harry is the younger son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, while Meghan is an American former actress who starred in the television drama Suits before her marriage.
Plans for a UK residence
The exact location of the family's new British residence has not been disclosed by the couple. However, the Cotswolds region has been highlighted as a potential location for their UK base, where they are expected to occupy a private property situated away from London.
The choice of Birmingham Airport holds practical significance due to its relative proximity to the Cotswolds. Establishing a presence in England does not mean the Sussexes are abandoning California, as their home in Montecito remains part of their ongoing lives in a parallel chapter.
News of the return first emerged through British media outlets, with the BBC reporting that Harry and Meghan would travel from California aboard a private aircraft prior to their arrival in Birmingham. When asked for comment regarding the arrival, a spokesperson for the couple gave a brief statement, saying it was not something they were going to comment on.
The arrival in England followed weeks of media reports concerning the family's intention to spend more time in the country. Harry had personally notified his father, King Charles III, about the upcoming return on August 16.
King Charles III acceded to the British throne in September 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The British monarchy is a constitutional institution where the monarch serves as head of state.
Visit to Althorp estate
Prior to their recent arrival, Harry, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet visited Britain in July for a stay at Althorp, the Spencer family estate in Northamptonshire. The family visited the property following an invitation from Charles Spencer, the ninth Earl Spencer and younger brother of Princess Diana.
The stay marked the first time Archie and Lilibet had visited the estate where their late grandmother grew up. During the visit, a photograph published by Meghan showed Harry and Archie walking together holding flowers, with Lilibet following behind them.
Princess Diana's tomb is located on a small island within a lake on the Althorp estate grounds. Royal observers noted that the couple sought to receive Princess Diana's blessing during their time at the site.
Princess Diana married the then-Prince of Wales in 1981 and became a global public figure before her death in a Paris car crash in 1997. Althorp House has been the ancestral home of the Spencer family for more than 500 years.
Family meetings and royal status
The July trip also included a meeting between Harry and King Charles, providing the monarch an opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren. The encounter took place under heightened security measures and was not accompanied by official photographs.
The contact with King Charles carries significance for Harry, whose relationship with his father faced strain following the couple's departure from royal duties. In contrast, relations between Harry and his elder brother, Prince William, remain unrestored, with no meeting occurring between their families during the recent visit.
Prince Harry and Meghan have not been seen publicly alongside Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, on British soil since September 2022 during events for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Prince William is the heir apparent to the British throne.
Despite establishing a UK base, Harry and Meghan are not returning as working members of the monarchy. Their 2020 decision remains in force as they continue operating as private individuals, with Harry maintaining his charitable work and involvement with the Invictus Games while Meghan pursues her business ventures.
The Invictus Games is an international adaptive sports event for wounded and injured military personnel, which Prince Harry founded in 2014. The move to Britain ensures their children will now maintain a more regular connection with their father's home country.
