Prince Harry reveals why he moved back to England with Meghan Markle and their children after six years in the US

After six years in California, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to the UK has raised questions about what prompted the family to leave their life in the United States behind. Now, the Duke of Sussex has offered a clearer explanation, pointing to his children’s education, the chance to be closer to his family and a hope of repairing strained relationships. In a new interview with GQ, Harry reflected on the move and spoke about his hopes for the future, including rebuilding ties with King Charles III and Prince William. His comments offer a more personal perspective on the family’s decision to return to Britain in August 2026.

Why did Prince Harry decide to return to the UK?

One of Prince Harry’s key reasons was the opportunity to raise Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, in his home country. The children have started school in the UK, giving them an experience of British life that Harry said was important to him. “Being able to put the kids in a British school has meant a lot to me,” Harry told GQ, according to the Los Angeles Times. He added that he had not realised just how important the prospect was until it became a reality. The move gives Archie and Lilibet a chance to experience the country where their father grew up, while spending more time with relatives on his side of the family.

Why being closer to his family matters

Prince Harry also spoke about the value of spending longer periods in Britain rather than making occasional visits. In the interview, he described being back on UK soil for more than a few days or a week at a time as something he welcomed. His return comes after years of tension within the royal family. Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and moved to California, where they have lived with their children.


In a separate report on the interview, Reuters highlighted Harry’s desire to repair family relationships. “With everything else that's going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile,” he told GQ. Prince Harry also said he wanted things to work out, adding that family disagreements and broken relationships were experiences many people could understand. His comments suggest that reconciliation is a personal hope, rather than confirmation that all tensions have been resolved.

Has Prince Harry’s relationship with the royal family changed?

Prince Harry’s return does not mean he and Meghan are resuming official royal duties. Reports in August said the couple would live as private individuals in a non-royal residence outside London. His relationship with King Charles has shown signs of improvement, including a family meeting at Highgrove earlier this year. However, relations with his brother, Prince William, remain strained, and there has been no announcement of a full reconciliation.

Prince Harry has also expressed hope that his relationship with the British press can improve. Years of conflict with tabloid newspapers and security concerns were among the issues surrounding his departure from royal life. For now, the move appears to reflect a combination of family priorities, the children’s education and Harry’s wish to rebuild connections. Whether it leads to lasting changes within the royal family remains to be seen, but the Duke of Sussex has made clear that he wants to move forward rather than remain defined by past disputes.