Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to return to the United Kingdom with their children after six years spent in California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided to relocate to Harry’s homeland for a significant period beginning in August 2026, as revealed exclusively by PEOPLE magazine. Their young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are expected to start school in the UK this September.
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The couple has lived in numerous locations worldwide since their marriage in 2018, including time spent in England, Canada, and the United States. Following their decision to step back from royal duties in early 2020, they settled in Meghan’s home state of California. However, as they prepare for their move back, they plan to establish a private residence in the UK, purposely distancing themselves from their previous royal residences. While they will maintain their homes in California and Portugal, the exact location of their new family home and the children’s school remains closely guarded.
Following their wedding, the late Queen Elizabeth II gifted the couple Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, where they welcomed their first child, Archie. After their departure from royal duties, they temporarily lived in Canada and then in Los Angeles before choosing Montecito, California, as their home base. In 2023, it was reported that they relinquished the lease on Frogmore Cottage, marking another chapter in their evolving relationship with the royal family.

Historically, Harry and Meghan’s journey as a couple began in Nottingham Cottage, situated on the grounds of Kensington Palace. This 1,300-square-foot home served as their first shared residence after they began dating, despite its modest size. In Harry’s autobiography, he recalled feeling somewhat embarrassed to invite Meghan over, admitting that it was hardly the palace everyone envisioned. Nevertheless, it was within those walls that he proposed, marking a pivotal moment in their romance.
In early 2019, just before Archie was born, the couple moved to Frogmore Cottage. The historic property, dating back to 1801, required extensive renovations, funded by the Sovereign Grant, to transform it into a suitable family home. The renovations, which reportedly cost around $3 million, modernised the mansion’s systems and expanded the living spaces significantly.
After relocating to North America, Harry and Meghan resided in various properties, including a friend’s estate in Canada and the Beverly Hills mansion of filmmaker Tyler Perry. Perry offered them his home while they adjusted to their new lives outside the royal spotlight, an arrangement that provided the young family with a temporary refuge.
In Montecito, the couple found a spacious nine-bedroom home that they purchased for approximately $14 million. Described as a sanctuary, the property provided the Sussexes with the privacy they sought away from the public eye. Meghan later expressed how the home felt like a healing space, where the family could enjoy quality time together away from scrutiny.
Their potential return to the UK has created a buzz among royal watchers, although it is clear that Harry and Meghan are keen to maintain a level of independence from royal obligations. While they plan to stay in the UK, both have made it clear that their ties to California, where they have established a life and community, will remain strong.
Additionally, there are unconfirmed reports suggesting that the Sussexes own a holiday home in Portugal. Meghan recently shared glimpses of their summer vacations there with family, highlighting how much they cherish the opportunities for their children to experience a normal childhood.
In summary, the move back to the UK marks a significant moment for Harry and Meghan as they navigate their public and private identities. As they settle with their children, the couple is poised to embrace a new chapter in their lives, while still holding onto their cherished homes across the world.
