Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to Britain, raising questions about their royal roles. This move comes six years after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as working members of the British Royal Family.
According to PEOPLE, the couple will not return to their royal duties. Likewise, Harry’s father, King Charles III, is said to have welcomed him and Meghan back to Britain. He will also preserve their status as private individuals and non-working Royal Family members. Charles is reported to have learned of the couple’s plans on August 16.
On August 19, Harry and Meghan announced that they would move their family to the U.K. for an “extended period.” Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will begin school in Britain this September. Their new U.K. residence has been kept secret from the public.
Prince Harry and Meghan Stepped Away From Their Royal Duties
GettyIn January 2020, Markle and Harry released a statement announcing that they would step down as working Royal Family members. According to the BBC, the couple had grown frustrated with both the media’s intrusion and the royal family’s restrictions on their “SussexRoyal” brand.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the couple stated. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”
After stepping down from their royal working roles, the couple was no longer referred to as “His and Her Royal Highness.” They also lost their official U.K. residence and gave up access to public funds. They retained their status as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The couple then moved out of the U.K. and took up residence in California, with their children in June 2020. Harry has gone back to Britain several times since then for charity events and legal meetings. An insider for PEOPLE stated that “[Harry’s] never lived a life here where he hasn’t been entangled in his past life. He’s always had one foot there.”
Harry and Meghan’s Relationship With the Royal Family
GettyHarry and Meghan’s relationship with the Royal Family had grown strained after they stepped down as working royals and moved to the U.S. However, the couple’s relationship with the royals has gradually healed over the years.
Harry and Meghan recently returned to the U.K. with their children in July, with Archie and Lilibet reuniting with their grandfather, King Charles, after four years. PEOPLE also reported that Charles was eager to spend more time with Harry and his family in a more “private, personal capacity.”
Though Harry and Meghan will return to the U.K., this will not automatically restore their roles as working Royal Family members. Only King Charles can decide whether they regain their status. However, Charles chose to respect the couple’s wishes to maintain their current status as private, non-working royals as they moved back to Britain.
