Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have returned to the United Kingdom with their children, Archie and Lilibet. The family arrived in Birmingham this Wednesday on a private flight from California, six years after leaving the country and starting their new life away from the Crown.
The return marks a significant change for the Sussexes, though it does not mean they are returning to official royal life.
How long will Harry and Meghan stay in the UK?
The plan is for an “extended stay,” though there’s still no specific date for their return to the United States. Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, will also be key figures in this new chapter, as they are expected to start their schooling in the United Kingdom in the coming days.
The family will settle into a private residence and continue with their independent projects.
Harry reportedly took this step with his children in mind, considering the possibility of them building a closer relationship with their British relatives.
The prince met with his father, King Charles III, in July, although, according to the sources cited, the monarch learned of the couple’s plans just a few days before they were made public. Lilibet is also reportedly making one of her few known trips to the country where her father was born.
There’s a curious detail that has also caught people’s attention. Harry and Meghan traveled with their dogs, Mia and Pula, but left their chickens behind in Montecito. Perhaps it’s a sign that they still don’t consider this return to be permanent.
And therein lies the big question. The family is returning to the United Kingdom, but they will continue to steer clear of royal duties, and no one knows yet how long this new phase will last.