Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are packing up and leaving California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to move back to Britain with their children, Prince Archie (7) and Princess Lilibet (5), after spending more than six years living in the United States. The family will relocate this August, and the children will start school in Britain in September.
The couple will keep their Montecito home in California and their property in Portugal. They will live in a private, non-royal residence near London. Harry and Meghan will not return to their roles as working members of the royal family. King Charles was told about their plans and welcomes the chance to spend more time with his grandchildren.
Their California years were full of major moments — from a bombshell TV interview to a bestselling memoir, legal fights, and family health scares. Here is a look at the key events that defined their time on the West Coast.
2020: The Royal Exit and Move to California
In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they would step down as working royals. The couple wanted financial independence and a quieter life away from the British press. They briefly stayed in Canada before moving to Meghan’s home state of California in June 2020.
They settled in Montecito, a wealthy coastal town near Santa Barbara. The couple bought a large estate with 16 bedrooms for $21 million. They moved in with their young son Archie, who was then 10 months old.
2021: The Oprah Interview and Birth of Lilibet
March 2021 brought one of the most talked-about TV moments in recent years. Harry and Meghan sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a two-hour special. Meghan made shocking claims during the interview. She said a member of the royal family had made a racist comment about how dark their son Archie’s skin might be. She also said she had thoughts of suicide while living in Britain and that palace officials did not help her.
Harry revealed that his father, King Charles, had stopped taking his calls. The late Queen Elizabeth responded with a statement. She said the issues raised were concerning and would be handled privately by the family.
In June 2021, the couple welcomed their second child. They named their daughter Lilibet, which was the family nickname for Queen Elizabeth.
2022: Security Lawsuit and the Queen’s Death
Harry’s fight for police protection in Britain became a major issue. In August 2022, he filed a lawsuit against the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police. He argued that his family was not safe in Britain without official security. This legal battle would continue for years.
September 2022 was a turning point. Harry and Meghan were in London for a visit when Queen Elizabeth II died. They stayed in Britain for her funeral. The Queen’s death brought the family together for a short time, but tensions remained under the surface.
2023: ‘Spare’ Memoir and King Charles’s Coronation
January 2023 changed everything again. Harry published his memoir ‘Spare’ . The book was full of personal stories about his life inside the royal family. Harry wrote that his brother William knocked him to the floor during a 2019 argument. He said William called Meghan “difficult,” “rude,” and “abrasive”.
Harry also wrote that he and William had asked their father not to marry Camilla Parker Bowles. The book sold millions of copies and made headlines around the world.
In May 2023, Harry attended his father’s coronation alone. Meghan stayed in California with their children. Harry did not sit with other senior royals at the event. The distance between Harry and his family was clear for everyone to see.
2024: King Charles and Kate’s Cancer Diagnoses
February 2024 brought worrying news. Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles had cancer. The king would pause public events to receive treatment. Harry flew to London for a brief meeting with his father.
One month later, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, said she was having preventative chemotherapy. The health crisis in the royal family changed the dynamics. Harry and Meghan stayed mostly quiet about the diagnoses.
2025: Security Battle Continues and Reconciliation Hopes
Harry’s fight for security reached a critical point in 2025. In April, his lawyer said Harry’s “life is at stake” without proper protection. On May 2, Harry lost his legal challenge over security arrangements.
Later that same day, Harry spoke about wanting to make peace with his family. He said his father was no longer speaking to him because of the security dispute. He also said he did not know how much time his father had left. The comments showed how deep the family rift had become.
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2026: The Move Back to Britain
August 2026 marks the end of their California chapter. Harry and Meghan plan to move their family to Britain for an extended period. Archie and Lilibet will start school there in September. The couple will keep their Montecito home but will live in a private residence outside London.
Harry and Meghan visited Britain in July 2026. They met with King Charles and Queen Camilla. It was the first time Charles had seen Meghan and the children since 2022. The meeting was described as positive, but the move was not discussed at that time.
Harry’s relationship with his family remains complicated. But the move to Britain shows a desire to be closer to his father and the rest of the royals. King Charles has welcomed the chance to see more of his grandchildren.
When asked about the move by the Associated Press, Harry simply said, “Nothing to say”. His representatives have not confirmed the reports officially.
Meghan will continue running her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from Britain. Harry will keep working with his UK-based charities. Their production company, Archewell, will also stay active. The couple are not returning to royal duties and will remain private citizens.
The move comes after years of legal battles, public interviews, and family tensions. Their time in California was filled with highs and lows. Now, they are closing that chapter and starting a new one across the Atlantic.
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