The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, and her family have officially returned to the United Kingdom for an extended period, just ahead of a significant milestone for her mother, Doria Ragland, who celebrated her 70th birthday on September 2. This holiday marks a notable moment for the family as they navigate their new chapter in England.
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While Meghan, her husband Prince Harry, and their two children – Prince Archie, aged seven, and Princess Lilibet, aged five – resettle in the UK, Doria will remain based in California. Despite the geographical distance, insiders have indicated that Meghan intends to make regular visits to see her mother, emphasising the strong bond between them. A source close to the family has remarked, “They are incredibly close,” suggesting that this relationship will remain a priority even as Meghan adapts to life back in her home country.
Doria has played an essential role in many pivotal events in her daughter’s life, most notably attending Meghan and Harry’s wedding at St George’s Chapel in 2018, as well as being present for the births and christenings of her grandchildren. In recent times, she visited the family in Montecito, California, for a final weekend together before they embarked on their move. A source described the atmosphere of their farewell as not a “goodbye forever,” but rather a collective understanding that they would return to California at some point in the future.
The Sussexes have had a significant six-year journey in California, having established their lives in Montecito since stepping back from frontline royal duties in early 2020. Although the move back to the UK is a deliberate choice for their family, making this transition has not come without its emotional challenges. One insider shared, “Meghan really loves their life in Montecito and their home there,” highlighting that making such a significant shift requires time for everyone to adjust.
As part of their relocation to the UK, the Sussex family is set to establish a non-royal residence, which will serve as their base for the foreseeable future. This transition includes enrolling both Archie and Lilibet in schools in Britain, which is a major step in their upbringing. Meanwhile, the family plans to keep their home in California as well as a holiday property in Portugal, indicating a commitment to maintaining their transcontinental lifestyle.
The move also signifies a potential opportunity for Harry to strengthen his ties with his own family, particularly as he has been working towards mending relations with King Charles. The couple recently met with the monarch and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House, marking a significant familial reconnection since Meghan and the children last met the King four years ago. This meeting may suggest a thawing of tensions, at least in one branch of the family.
Despite these positive familial developments, the relationship between Harry and his older brother, Prince William, remains strained. Insiders suggest that there has been little to no progress in reconciling their differences, leaving the brothers’ relationship notably fractured. One source described the situation as “so broken,” implying an enduring absence of communication between them.
As the Sussex family embarks on this new journey in the UK, their move serves as both a fresh opportunity and a complicated emotional transition. With Meghan’s commitment to nurturing her relationship with her mother amid the distance, the family is poised to embrace the changes ahead while hoping to bridge gaps within their wider familial landscape. The coming months will be crucial in determining how their relationships evolve as they adapt to their new life in the UK, particularly with the added dimension of school for their children and the increased proximity to British royalty.