The Duke and Duchess of Sussex found their time in the United States to be more challenging than expected.
Prince Harry’s experiences in America did not unfold as anticipated
It has come to light that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are planning to return to the UK from California with their two children—Prince Archie, now seven, and Princess Lilibet, aged five. Former royal butler Grant Harrold has shared insights on what may be driving this unexpected decision.
Speaking six years after the couple stepped down as Senior Royals in order to move to Meghan’s native USA, Grant told Us Weekly: “It is clear their time in America did not go to plan. We see that through the Netflix deal and some of their other commercial decisions. I think there are multiple factors at play. I suppose the dream life in the US that they imagined didn’t come off.”
Harry and Meghan signed high-profile deals with Netflix and Spotify after moving to the US but their projects for the streamers were met with mixed reviews.
He said: “We know Harry and the king have been working on their relationship for the last few months. Even if it was only confirmed [to Charles over] the weekend, I would like to think there has been back and forth between them. I think Harry would have taken his dad’s advice on aspects of the move and taken his pointers. 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.”
The Sussexes will be moving to a private, non-royal residence, and Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will be starting school nearby in September.
Harry and Meghan's security arrangements have not been disclosed, but there have been no announcements of any change, despite the prince's previous claim he didn't feel his family were safe in the UK without police protection.
The former Suits actress will continue to run her As Ever lifestyle brand in the UK, and the couple plan to retain their home in Montecito, California, and their other property in Portugal, which they bought in 2023.
Sources claimed the family will stay in the UK "for an extended period" but have yet to decide if it will be a permanent move.