Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Return to the UK After Six Years Amid Security Concerns

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to return to the United Kingdom from the United States later this month, accompanied by their 7-year-old son Archie and 5-year-old daughter Lilibet. The couple will reside in a private, non-royal residence outside of London, maintaining their royal titles without carrying out official royal duties. Following their decision to return, questions have resurfaced regarding whether their security will again be funded by public funds.

London, 7 September: Having stepped away from the British royal family and relocated to the US six years ago, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now planning to move back to the UK. However, this return does not signify a resumption of royal responsibilities. Joined by their children — 7-year-old Prince Archie and 5-year-old Princess Lilibet — they are expected to begin schooling in the UK starting September.

According to reports, the Sussex Duke and Duchess will live in a private residence outside London, sustaining their royal status without official duties. The couple’s unexpected announcement to return has once again brought the issue of publicly funded security arrangements into the spotlight in Britain.

Since leaving active royal roles in 2020 and moving to the US, their British security detail was scaled back. In the United States, Harry and Meghan have arranged security at their own expense. Both are high-profile public figures, and Prince Harry’s military service in Afghanistan adds significance to security considerations. If Harry does not receive taxpayer-funded protection after stepping back from active royal duties, he and his family must cover the costs for their own security.

Security expenses have been a source of prolonged tension between Harry and the British Home Office. According to The Times, there are currently no plans to provide armed security funded by taxpayers for the couple and their family. Last year, after a legal attempt to reverse the downgrade of their security in the US failed, Prince Harry told the BBC, “The reduction in security arrangements makes it impossible to bring my family to the UK.” The level of protection Harry has requested matches that provided to the King and Queen, the Princes and Princesses of Wales (William and Catherine), and their three children.

Following the announcement this month about their plans to relocate from America to Britain, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that security arrangements are a “private matter.” He declined to comment on the costs related to their protection, saying, “This is a private issue for Harry and Meghan, and I wish them well in their decisions.”

Harry and Meghan announced on January 8, 2020, that they would step back from senior royal roles, expressing a desire for financial independence and a plan to split their time between the UK and North America. The media dubbed this move “Megxit.” Subsequently, distancing came amid tensions involving their roles in the royal family, treatment by the British tabloid press, and Meghan’s experience with alleged discriminatory behavior.

In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the couple made serious allegations regarding pressures within the royal family and racial discrimination directed at Meghan. This worsened the relationship between Harry and the royal household. Furthermore, Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare revealed additional internal family disputes, deepening the estrangement especially with his brother Prince William.

Since relocating from Canada to Montecito, California in 2020, Harry and Meghan have focused on their professional and public lives outside royal duties, securing financial independence through projects including Netflix productions. Recent years have shown some thawing in Harry’s relationship with the royal family, particularly with his father, King Charles, following the King’s health issues. Reports indicate increased family meetings in 2026.

One of the main reasons for their return to the UK is reportedly their children’s education and a desire to reduce the distance from relatives.

Prince Harry shares a close connection to Nepal and Gurkha soldiers. He has spent significant time with British Gurkhas and visited Nepal. Following the 2015 earthquake, he contributed to rebuilding efforts through the Lapoo Village Development Committee in northern Gorkha. Harry has expressed admiration for the natural beauty of the Himalayan range and Bardiya National Park in Nepal, describing these memories as unforgettable. Having served alongside Gurkhas in Afghanistan, he takes great pride in their bravery, selflessness, and professionalism, often praising their courage and dedication.