Harry and Meghan Take Kids Back to the U.K. While Keeping California

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced on August 19 that their children, seven‑year‑old Archie and five‑year‑old Lilibet, will relocate to the United Kingdom for an extended stay, beginning with school in September.

The couple will retain their Montecito, California house and a vacation home in Portugal while holding non‑royal property in Britain.

The announcement follows six years of residence in California, during which the Duke and Duchess signed a $100 million, multiyear Netflix deal in 2020 to produce shows and movies. In March, Netflix ended its partnership with Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever after two seasons of *With Love, Meghan*.

,” Harrold told reporters. “We see that through the Netflix deal and some of their other commercial decisions. I think there are multiple factors at play.” He added, “I suppose the dream life in the U.S. that they imagined didn’t come off.”

## Background & Context

Harrold, 48, served as a butler for King Charles III before moving into media and etiquette consulting. His experience places him among those who have witnessed members of the royal family relocate abroad only to return.

The couple’s initial move to California was driven by a desire for privacy and new business ventures, but reports suggest that the public nature of their projects—especially the Netflix collaboration—did not align with their expectations.

The Netflix partnership, launched in 2020, promised a multiyear financial arrangement of $100 million to produce original content featuring the Duke and Duchess. However, the contract’s duration and the public exposure that came with it may have contributed to the couple’s reassessment of their American lifestyle.

The termination of the As Ever partnership in March further signaled a shift in their commercial strategy.

## What People Are Saying

Harrold highlighted that “this happens to people all the time.” He emphasized that many individuals move abroad, then later change their minds and return. In a conversation with reporters, he noted that the decision to relocate back to the U.K. was “incredibly public,” adding that even seasoned royals experience such shifts.

Regarding the family dynamics,

Harrold stated, “We know Harry and the king have been working on their relationship for the last few months.” He added that Harry likely consulted his father’s advice on aspects of the move, stating, “Harry knows that doing this behind his dad’s back would cause more upset, and I imagine he’s doing everything he can to keep things sweet at the moment.”

His perspective suggests that, while the couple publicly announced the move, private discussions with King Charles may have influenced their final decision. Harrold is a partner of OLBG, a platform that tracks royal affairs, giving him insight into internal family communications.

## What Happens Next

Meghan is expected to continue leading her lifestyle brand from their international home while also planning a return to acting. Harry, meanwhile, will focus more on supporting U.K.-based charities and patronages. The couple’s non‑royal property in Britain will serve as a base for their children’s schooling and public engagements.

The relocation does not indicate a complete severance of ties with the U.K.; the couple retains properties in the country and will maintain a presence through philanthropic activities.

Their decision to keep Montecito and Portugal homes suggests that they are not abandoning their American lifestyle entirely but are instead adjusting their focus.

This development marks a significant shift in the Duke and Duchess’s public narrative, aligning them more closely with traditional royal expectations while preserving elements of their personal brand.

The move, announced amid widespread speculation, underscores the fluid nature of modern royal life. While the couple’s future plans remain fluid, the decision to bring their children back to the U.K. signals a renewed commitment to public duties and family priorities in their native country.