Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in UK before Archie and Lilibet start school

London,UPDATED: Aug 26, 2026 18:44 IST

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in the UK ahead of their children Archie and Lilibet starting school next month, according to British media reports. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reported to have flown in privately from California and are expected to base their family at a private property in the Cotswolds, outside London.

The move has drawn attention because of the couple’s status as non-working members of the royal family and because questions remain over how long they plan to stay and what security arrangements will apply in the UK. A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan told the BBC: "this is not something we would comment on".

Reports said the couple are expected to bring their dogs, Mia and Pula, with them, while leaving the chickens from their US farm in Montecito, California, behind. "How long will they stay? I don't know, but it will be for an extended period. Whether that's six months, a year, two years who knows," a source was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.

The newspaper reported that the couple plan to live as an "international" family, while keeping their homes in the US and Portugal. It also said Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are enrolled at a British school from the start of the autumn term in September. News of the move emerged last week, when Buckingham Palace said it did not comment on developments related to non-working members of the royal family.

It is understood that Harry’s father, King Charles, was made aware of the couple’s plans earlier this month. The matter had not been discussed when Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, were hosted at Charles’ Highgrove home in Gloucestershire for a "private family occasion" last month, when the King met his two grandchildren after some years.

While the King is expected to welcome the chance to see more of his younger son and his family in a private and personal capacity, there will be no change to their role and status as private individuals. This is in line with the couple’s stated wishes and the agreement in place since 2020, with no "half in and half out" option on official royal duties.

Harry has previously raised serious concerns about the security of his family and has pursued legal avenues in an effort to secure high-level armed protection despite being a non-working royal. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said their security would be a "private matter", while the Home Office has said the government’s protective security system is "rigorous and proportionate". It remains unclear what security arrangements will be made for them in the UK and who will pay for them.

The Sussexes have had a difficult relationship with the royal family since moving to Montecito in 2020. Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, has also had a strained relationship with his elder brother William. In his memoir Spare, he said he left Britain to escape the restrictions of royal life and criticised palace officials for being insensitive to Meghan’s mental health, as the couple now prepare for an extended stay in the UK.

With PTI Inputs

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