Prince Harry reveals why he and Meghan Markle left UK decision to the last minute

Scarlett O'Toole, Jasmine Carey Sat, October 24, 2026 at 10:29 AM UTC

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Prince Harry revealed when the family decided to move back (Image: JP Yim/Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative)

Prince Harry has revealed why his return to the UK with his wife and children wasn't planned far in advance, but rather came together at the last minute.

The Duke of Sussex moved back to the UK in August, along with his wife Meghan Markle and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The move seemed to have been abrupt, with the family allegedly making the choice shortly before a private jet took them back to Britain. Reports suggest King Charles was notified just days before their arrival, with no discussion of any possible move when he saw the family a month earlier at Highgrove. Despite the lack of advance notice of the move, it's believed the monarch is hoping to meet with his youngest son again.

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While most relocations of this size would require months, or even years, of preparation, this apparently wasn't true for Harry and Meghan. Although they had contemplated it for some time, the actual move happened quickly, as it depended on "opportunities" available at that particular moment.

Discussing the UK move with GQ, Harry explained, "It's something that we've thought about, and we've considered. But for us, when certain stars align, and it's clear that this should or probably will end up being the case, then we lean into that.

The family seem to like being back in the UK (Image: Instagram / @meghan)

"To actually have my whole family there with me, the place that I grew up, wanting to be able to show my kids where I grew up and have them have the experiences to some extent that I had, the good rather than necessarily the bad, provided real proper serious thinking as to: 'This is an opportunity, let's do it now.'"

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Harry also discussed how "opportunities for the family," including enrolling his young children in UK schools, were a major factor in the relocation. He explained, "I didn't know how important it was to me."

The Duke of Sussex said he had "always thought it was going to be something that we would try and do," and said Archie and Lilibet are "loving it" in their new school as it's "giving them a whole different experience."

The Duke of Sussex insisted, "I'm not criticizing American schools," before adding, "But I think for kids at seven and five, to be able to have that comparison and to have two completely different cultural experiences is so important today.

"But yeah: To be back closer to my family and to be back on UK soil for longer than a few days or a week here or there. It's nice to be back."

Though Harry and Meghan have made public appearances following their UK return this summer, Archie and Lilibet have not. The children have only been glimpsed enjoying British life through videos and photos that Meghan shares on her Instagram.

These include footage of the youngsters on walks, riding bikes, warming up beside a log fire, and fishing. They are understood to be fully adjusted to UK life and their new school, where they attend as day students.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”