The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly landed in the UK after it was announced they were moving their family from California back to Britain.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their two children landed at Birmingham airport on Wednesday lunchtime after flying into the country privately from California, The Telegraph has reported.
It comes a week after it was announced Harry and Meghan would return to the UK, where they are to live in a non-royal residence outside of London, having already enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools. The new term is expected to start next week.
It is believed the family will base themselves at a private property outside of London in the Cotswolds area.
The Independent has contacted a representative of the Sussexes for comment.
Return comes six years after controversial move to US
Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to the UK comes six years after they announced their controversial departure to live in the US.
The Sussexes announced in January 2020 that they wanted to step down as senior royals for a dual life, earning their own money in the US and supporting the monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II held a Sandringham summit to solve “Megxit” and the outcome was that the Sussexes’ semi-royal role was deemed untenable – they were either in or out.
The couple headed to California and quit as senior working royals completely in March 2020, just as the Covid pandemic took hold.
Bryony Gooch26 August 2026 12:56
Recap watch: Harry and Meghan’s UK security funding a private matter, says Andy Burnham
Bryony Gooch26 August 2026 12:52
Home Office offers no information on Harry and Meghan security arrangements
The Home Office has refused to offer information on the security arrangements as Harry and Meghan are believed to have arrived in the UK.
A spokesperson has said: “The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.
“It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”
Bryony Gooch26 August 2026 12:48
Archie and Lilibet to start school next week
The family has arrived in the UK ahead of the school term which is set to begin next week.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are understood to have enrolled their children, Archie and Lilibet, in British schools.
Bryony Gooch26 August 2026 12:44
Report: Harry and Meghan have landed – in Birmingham
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly landed in the UK, ready to begin an “extended stay” with their children, The Telegraph has reported.
The Sussexes landed at Birmingham Airport on Wednesday lunchtime.
Bryony Gooch26 August 2026 12:43
Where could Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet go to school in the UK?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children are set to attend British schools in September following the shock announcement that they will be returning from California this month.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are understood to have already enrolled their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, in school.
Education secretary Lucy Powell described it as a “great endorsement” of the UK’s education system, but said it was unlikely they would be attending a local state school.
Read more here:
Where could Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet go to school in the UK?
Generations of royals have attended the most prestigious and elite schools in the countryBryony Gooch26 August 2026 12:41
The Sussexes have not commented on reasons for return to the UK
Harry and Meghan have not commented on their reasons for relocating to the UK, though a source close to the duchess did not deny reporting that she has been offered an acting role in an upcoming project in the country.
Their move comes after the duke and duchess took their children to see their grandfather the King for the first time in four years at his Highgrove home in July.
The Independent has contacted a rep for the Sussexes for comment
Bryony Gooch26 August 2026 12:39
Family expected to live in the Cotswolds
It remains unclear where Harry and Meghan will set up their lives in the UK, but it is understood they will live in a non-royal residence outside of London.
Many expect the couple to live in the Cotswolds area.
Bryony Gooch26 August 2026 12:38
The Sussexes are flying privately from California – report
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly on a flight from California to the UK with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
The BBC reported that the couple were returning to the UK a week prior to the start of the school term as it’s understood the two children are enrolled in the British education system.
Bryony Gooch26 August 2026 12:36