The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be moving back to the UK within days. Prince Harry and Meghan’s surprise move will see them settle in the country by the end of August with their children starting school somewhere in Britain in early September. But several details have raised the question – is this forever or for now?
Harry and Meghan are expected to live in a ”non royal” home with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The location is undisclosed but it appears the Cotswolds are a serious contender. Properties close to Althorp in Northamptonshire are also considered a possibility as Harry is understood to enjoy the relationship he has with his maternal uncle, Earl Spencer.
However, the couple are keeping their homes in California and Portugal, raising questions about whether the UK is to become a permanent base for them in the long term.
The fact that seven year old Archie and Lili, 5, are now pupils at a school in the country indicates a commitment of some length. It’s expected that the children will be educated at a private school that offers the privacy and security that their parents want.
And the BBC’s Daniela Relph wrote that sources close to Harry and Meghan had told her that educating their children in the UK was important for the couple. That, too, would indicate that Harry and Meghan are looking at the UK as a long term base.
It’s also now known that the couple have a property in Portugal where they enjoy spending time. A base in the UK makes it much easier to hop across to Europe where both are understood to be keen to spend more time.
However, their role in the UK is unclear. Royal sources have said there is no return to the working part of the Firm for Harry and Meghan while the idea of the half in half out arrangement discussed when they left, in 2020, is also off the table.
And the move is being described as being for an ”extended period of time”.
Both will continue to pursue private commercial ventures with the Duchess of Sussex working on her As Ever brand and Prince Harry focused on the Invictus Games being held in Birmingham next year.
It’s already been made clear, very publicly, that Harry wants his father, The King, to attend the Games and give it some real royal kudos.
In the meantime, speculation will mount about when we will see Harry and Meghan back with the Royal Family. With the couple living in the UK, an invitation to Sandringham for Christmas seems inevitable. That could lead to a sighting of Harry with his older brother, the Prince of Wales. The two men haven’t spoken for several years and Prince William is understood to be hurt by accusations in interviews and books by the couple and angered by their very public complaints about royal life.
Which brings us back to how long Harry and Meghan are planning to stay in the UK. For the past six years, they have been pretty categorical in their dismissal of the country as an option as a base. They have spoken of security concerns as well as their unhappiness inside the Royal Family. Their sudden decision to come back has surprised many. In fact, King Charles was only told of it on Sunday and the couple didn’t discuss it as a possibility when they were invited for afternoon tea in July at Highgrove. It was the first time in four years that The King had seen his youngest grandchildren.
One thing is for sure – everyone has come to expect the unexpected from Harry and Meghan. If the stay is short or long, it will no doubt contain a few more surprises along the way.
