Prince Harry and Meghan latest: Family ‘lands in UK’ in surprise move from California

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.