Ahead of the reported first day, parents at a private UK school received a letter warning them not to photograph or film pupils. The instruction arrives with particular relevance when two of the incoming students are grandchildren of King Charles III and attract photographers by simply arriving somewhere.
Why have Harry and Meghan returned to Britain?
Page Six previously reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle planned to move back to the United Kingdom for an “extended period” after six years in California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped away from royal duties in 2020 and established their main home in Montecito.
Sources told the publication that the couple wanted to live closer to King Charles III, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in 2024. They also reportedly want Archie and Lilibet to build relationships with members of the Royal Family.
The Sussexes quietly left their $14 million Montecito mansion last week, according to the report. They allegedly paid a six-figure sum to charter a private jet for the relocation and arrived at Birmingham Airport around lunchtime last Wednesday.
The couple have also been considering a home in the Cotswolds, the wealthy countryside area where Charles and Queen Camilla maintain Highgrove House. No purchase has been confirmed.
Who is helping with the Sussexes’ relocation?
British hedge fund billionaire Ian Wace reportedly assisted Harry and Meghan financially with the move. Wace, the chief executive of Marshall Wace LLP, has an estimated fortune of $1.2 billion.
Sources said he is not believed to be paying for the family’s entire stay. Even so, private flights, elite schooling and a possible Cotswolds home suggest the relocation budget is not being managed through supermarket loyalty points.
Meghan, 45, founded the lifestyle brand As Ever, while Harry, 41, has continued his media and charitable work since leaving royal duties. Neither has made a public appearance in Britain since the reported move.
Where do relations with the Royal Family stand?
The return comes as Harry remains estranged from his older brother, Prince William. Charles is reported to have made progress in repairing his relationship with his younger son, but William and Harry are still said to be at odds.
Those relationships deteriorated after Harry and Meghan left royal life. Harry later criticized the institution and individual family members in television interviews and in his memoir, Spare.
Meanwhile, the next generation is preparing for separate school routines. Prince George, 13, is due to begin classes in September at Eton College, the boarding school previously attended by both William and Harry.
That will place the royal cousins in the same country, though not at the same school. Whether greater proximity produces closer family ties remains unclear. For now, the only confirmed shared feature is expensive education.
