Prince Harry and Meghan have arrived back in the UK, BBC News understands. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are believed to have flown into the country privately from California with their children, Archie and Lilibet. A spokesman for Harry and Meghan said: “this is not something we would comment on”. Relocation Reported for AugustLast week, media reports said the couple planned to relocate to the UK in August. They will not return to official duties, and are expected to live in Britain as non-working royals. It is understood the family intends to base themselves at a private property outside London, in the Cotswolds area. Archie and Lilibet have been enrolled in school, with the new term due to start next week. Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in early 2020, before moving to the United States. They settled in California in March of that year. King and Wales Told, but Visit Focused ElsewhereKing Charles was informed about the move earlier this month. The family visited the King at his Highgrove home in July this year, but it is understood the relocation was not discussed during that visit. Before the August plans emerged, Harry and Meghan had not been in the UK together since attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. The Prince and Princess of Wales have also been told about the couple’s plans. Security Questions Still UnresolvedTheir return has reopened debate about what security arrangements would be in place for the Sussexes while they are in the UK and who would fund them. Last year, Harry lost a legal challenge over the level of security he and his family are entitled to when in the country. He had sought to overturn a decision to downgrade his security after he stopped being a working royal and moved to the US. After the couple’s intended return was announced, a Home Office spokesperson said decisions on the security of royals are made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec). The spokesperson added that the UK government’s protective security system is “rigorous and proportionate”. Harry has previously said he worries about safety have prevented him from coming to the UK and bringing Meghan and the children with him. There has also been recent litigation involving the Sussexes. Last month, Harry and six other public figures lost a High Court privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail. They face paying legal costs of up to £34.5m to Associated Newspapers. Join the discussion? 27 August 2026
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