Prince Harry and Meghan, who stepped back from official royal duties six years ago, are said to have relocated to the UK, choosing the picturesque Cotswolds as their new home. Their two children, Prince Archie, aged seven, and Princess Lilibet, aged five, are expected to start attending a British school later this month.
The family plans to reside in a private, non-royal property while continuing to maintain their residence in Montecito, California. Despite the move, there are no indications they will resume their roles as working members of the Royal Family.
Should the Cotswolds remain their base, the Sussexes will find themselves in proximity to several royal figures, including Princess Anne. The Princess Royal lives at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, alongside her daughter Zara Tindall and son-in-law Mike Tindall.
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In 2020, Princess Anne made a pointed remark suggesting that the younger generation of royals should not attempt to “reinvent the wheel”, a comment widely interpreted as directed at the Sussexes. However, two years later, she shared a heartfelt moment with Prince Harry.
In September 2022, following reports of Queen Elizabeth II’s declining health, the Duke of Sussex travelled to Scotland. According to royal author Robert Jobson, King Charles III prohibited Meghan from accompanying Harry, stating that “no wives” were to travel to see the Queen at that time. This meant that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, remained in London with her children.
By the time Harry’s plane landed, news of the Queen’s passing had already been announced. In his memoir, Spare, Harry recalls receiving a message from Meghan just as the plane began its descent, instructing him to call her. Turning to the BBC website, Harry saw that his grandmother had died and that his father had become King.
Upon arriving at Balmoral, Harry was met by Princess Anne, who had been with the Queen during her final days. Harry recounted that Anne asked him if he wanted to see his grandmother, to which he replied, “Yes, I do.” He described entering her bedroom as an “unfamiliar” experience and found the moment deeply difficult. Harry reflected on his regret about not being there for his mother during her final days.
He expressed profound admiration for the Queen, noting her unwavering commitment to her duties even in her last days; Her Majesty received then-Prime Minister Liz Truss just 48 hours before her death.
Liz Truss had assumed office as Prime Minister on 6 September but resigned only 49 days later, marking the shortest tenure of any UK Prime Minister to date.