Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped back from royal duties six years ago, are said to have relocated to the United Kingdom, choosing the Cotswolds as their new home. Their children, Prince Archie, aged seven, and Princess Lilibet, aged five, are reportedly preparing to start attending a British school later this month.
The family is understood to be living in a private, non-royal residence while still maintaining their estate in Montecito, California. Despite their return to the UK, it is not anticipated that they will recommence official royal duties.
If the Cotswolds indeed becomes their permanent residence, the Sussex family will be neighbours to several members of the royal family, including Princess Anne. The Princess Royal resides at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire alongside her daughter Zara Tindall and son-in-law Mike Tindall.
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In 2020, Princess Anne reportedly made a pointed remark about younger members of the royal family, suggesting they should not attempt to “reinvent the wheel.” However, two years later, she shared a heartfelt moment with Prince Harry.
In September 2022, upon learning of Queen Elizabeth II’s declining health, the Duke of Sussex travelled to Scotland. It was reported by royal author Robert Jobson that King Charles III did not permit Meghan Markle to accompany Harry on this trip. Harry has said that his father told him “no wives” were travelling to see the Queen, with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, remaining in London with her children.
By the time Harry’s plane arrived, news of the Queen’s passing had already been announced. In his memoir “Spare,” he recalls receiving a message from Meghan saying, “Call me when you get this,” shortly before discovering that his grandmother had died and his father had become king.
Upon arrival at Balmoral Castle, Harry was greeted by Princess Anne, who had been with the 96-year-old monarch during her final days. Harry recounted Anne asking if he wanted to see his grandmother, to which he replied affirmatively. He described entering the Queen’s bedroom as “unfamiliar” and the experience as “difficult,” reflecting on his regret at not being with his own mother during her final moments.
Harry expressed admiration for his grandmother’s dedication, noting that she continued fulfilling her official duties until the end of her life. Remarkably, the Queen met with then-Prime Minister Liz Truss just 48 hours before her passing.
Liz Truss had taken office as Prime Minister on 6 September 2022 but resigned after 49 days, marking the shortest tenure of any British Prime Minister.