Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are making plans to return to the United Kingdom along with their children, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The decision to relocate back to the UK was first reported by The Telegraph and The Sun.

The royal couple, along with their children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, will be transitioning to a life as private citizens while residing in the UK. Although no specific date was provided for their return, media sources suggest that they aim to be back in time for the children to commence school in September.

Harry and Meghan withdrew from their full-time royal duties and departed the UK in March 2020. Following a brief stay in Canada, they eventually settled in California later that same month. The move back to the UK comes amidst strained relations with the Royal Family, stemming from public criticisms made by the couple toward the monarchy and the family itself.

During an interview on The Late, Late Show with James Corden in February 2021, Harry expressed the challenges he faced within the royal environment, emphasizing his commitment to prioritizing his family’s well-being. Despite facing security concerns and changes in protection measures, Harry asserted that he never intended to abandon his responsibilities.

In a legal setback, Harry was part of a group of prominent British figures who lost a privacy lawsuit against The Daily Mail’s publisher in July. Harry had testified about the distress caused to Meghan by the newspaper’s actions. Following the court ruling, Harry criticized the decision as biased and unwarranted.

Recent developments suggest a potential reconciliation between Harry and his father, King Charles. Their relationship showed signs of improvement during a visit last September, marking their first meeting in 20 months. King Charles, who recently underwent cancer treatment, expressed openness to spending more personal time with the Sussex family in the UK.