Prince Harry, Meghan, and their two children have arrived back in the UK for an extended stay, landing at Birmingham airport. The family’s return comes six years after stepping down as working royals, with children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet already enrolled at a British school starting next week.
Airport Arrival and Cotswolds Speculation
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down at Birmingham airport, according to reports. Their choice of airport immediately sparked intense speculation that the family intends to live in the Cotswolds area. Representatives of the Sussexes provided no immediate confirmation of their arrival on Wednesday.
Prince Harry and Meghan are joined by seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet. The children are already enrolled at school in the UK and are due to start classes next week. While the family plans to maintain their Montecito mansion and a property in Spain, they will live outside London at a non-royal residence during their time in Britain.
Short Notice Given to King Charles
The family’s return marks a significant shift, occurring six years after they decamped to California and stepped down as working royals in early 2020. Settling in California in March of that year, the couple relinquished their official royal engagements. According to reporting on the return, the king was only informed four days prior to the public revelation last week.
Despite the extended UK stay, there are no plans for the couple to return to official royal duties. Security arrangements for the family remain a subject of debate. Having been managed on a case-by-case basis previously, it remains entirely unclear what specific provisions will be put in place or who will cover the costs.
Business Ventures and Television Rumors
Meghan reportedly plans to continue running her California-based business, As Ever, from the UK while occasionally traveling back to the United States. Meanwhile, rumors surrounding her potential return to acting have circulated widely. Conflicting reports suggested the former Suits actor was in discussions to appear in the third series of the Netflix drama The Gentleman. However, royal author Tina Brown claimed Meghan had been dropped from the project due to intense backlash.
Prior British Visits and Ancestral Ties
The current extended trip follows a brief visit to Britain earlier this year in July for a summer holiday. During that summer trip, the family visited Althorp in West Northamptonshire, which serves as the ancestral home of Diana, Princess of Wales, and is the site where she is buried.
