Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing for one of their biggest family changes since leaving royal life, with plans to return to the UK and raise Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in Harry’s home country.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped back from their roles as working royals six years ago and established a new life in California, are expected to relocate to Britain at the end of August.

Their return would not signal a resumption of official royal duties. Instead, Harry and Meghan are reportedly planning to establish a private family life in the UK, with their children set to attend a British school.

Archie and Lilibet reportedly set for British schooling

According to reports, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, will be enrolled at a school in Britain as the Sussex family begins its new chapter.

The precise school is expected to remain private, as is the location of the family’s planned UK residence.

Rather than returning to a royal property, Harry and Meghan are understood to be looking at a private, non-royal home.

The move would represent a major change for Archie and Lilibet, who have spent most of their childhood living in California following their parents’ departure from Britain.

Despite returning to the UK, Harry and Meghan are not expected to become working royals again.

King Charles informed of the Sussexes’ plans

According to The Telegraph, King Charles was informed about the planned move on Sunday.

The report states that the King was pleased by the prospect of being able to spend more time with Harry and his family once they are living in Britain.

Prince William and Princess Kate have also reportedly been informed.

Relations between the Waleses and Sussexes have remained strained, with Harry and Meghan reportedly not on speaking terms with William and Kate for some time.

The development therefore comes at a particularly significant moment for the wider Royal Family.

News of the Sussexes’ expected return has also emerged while members of the Royal Family are gathering at Balmoral Castle for their traditional summer break.

Montecito mansion will reportedly remain theirs

Although Britain is expected to become the Sussex family’s main base, Harry and Meghan are reportedly not cutting their ties with California.

The couple are believed to be keeping their Montecito mansion, which they purchased after stepping away from royal duties and moving to the United States in 2020.

The property has served as the family’s principal home throughout their post-royal life in America.

Their reported holiday property in Portugal is also expected to remain part of their portfolio.

That suggests the move back to Britain may initially be approached with some flexibility rather than as an immediate permanent break from their life in the United States.

Sussexes reportedly plan to ‘see how it goes’

Sources cited by The Telegraph reportedly claim that Harry and Meghan intend to establish their main family home in Britain before assessing how the arrangement works.

Only after spending time living in the UK are they expected to make longer-term decisions about their future.

Keeping their Montecito residence would therefore give the family the option of maintaining a significant presence in California while they adjust to their new circumstances in Britain.

Their choice of UK home, meanwhile, is expected to remain confidential, particularly because Archie and Lilibet will be living and attending school nearby.

The Sussexes have placed considerable emphasis on protecting their children’s privacy since moving away from royal life.

A dramatic change six years after leaving Britain

Harry and Meghan’s reported return would bring their story full circle in several respects.

Six years ago, the couple stepped away from life as senior working royals before moving across the Atlantic and eventually settling in Montecito.

Since then, California has been at the center of their family and professional lives.

Now, Britain could once again become their principal home — although under very different circumstances.

There is currently no suggestion that the Sussexes will resume official duties or return to the structure of royal life they left behind.

Instead, the reported plans center on establishing a private residence, sending Archie and Lilibet to British schools and allowing the family to experience life in the UK before making any permanent decision.

Perhaps most significantly, the relocation would place Harry and his children considerably closer to King Charles.

For now, however, key details surrounding the move — including exactly where the Sussexes will live and where Archie and Lilibet will attend school — are expected to remain private.