Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to be keeping their future options open after returning to the UK in August. According to News24, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have recently established themselves in the Cotswolds, have retained their Montecito home. The $14.5 million California property has reportedly neither been sold nor rented out, with staff continuing to maintain the luxury estate.
It remains unclear whether Harry and Meghan intend to stay in Britain permanently. If they do leave again, however, King Charles would likely be disappointed to lose the opportunity to spend more time with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Even so, a change of direction by the Sussexes would not be entirely unexpected.
Before News24’s report, the couple had already faced several significant challenges. Harry and Meghan were recently forced to remove Archie and Lilibet from their new schools and enrol them elsewhere after concerns were raised about security during the morning school run.
The situation became even more troubling on Wednesday, 30 September, when a spokesperson for the couple issued a statement after two international paparazzi photographers were reportedly seen surveilling the children’s school.
“The decision by photographers to conduct themselves in this way around a school is extraordinarily reckless,” the statement began.
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“There is a world of difference between legitimate media activity and photographers walking the perimeter of a school, stopping to look into the grounds and monitoring children as they go about their day.
“It is concerning enough that certain European paparazzi appear unwilling to respect the privacy of children at school. But to behave in this manner in these particular circumstances, and so soon after the incident at RAF Fairford, demonstrates an extraordinary lack of judgment.
“Whatever photographs they may have been seeking, this was not only an unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children; it was an irresponsible and ill-considered way to conduct themselves in the vicinity of a school.”
Harry and Meghan are classified as “private citizens” under arrangements set by the King and have been seeking taxpayer-funded security for their family. RAVEC, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, has not yet announced its decision.
In a recent Daily Mail article, Alison Boshoff, the publication’s Editor at Large, reported that people close to Harry and Meghan had indicated that the result of RAVEC’s security review could influence whether the couple chooses to remain in the UK or leave.