Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Surprise U.K. Return Has Some People Fearing the Worst for King Charles

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to the U.K. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will leave their current home base in Montecito, California, for a new private, non-royal residence in Britain, People reports. The surprise move comes six years after the couple stepped away from their roles as working royals for a more private life in the U.S. 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moving back to the U.K., will keep home in California 

Specific details about Meghan and Harry’s return are scarce. However, their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, will begin school in the U.K. in the fall. Meghan and Harry will also keep their current home in California as well as a vacation home in Portugal. They will not resume their role as working royals.

Harry’s father, King Charles III, was informed of the couple’s decision on August 16. He reportedly welcomes the chance to spend more time with the family, including his grandchildren, whom he has met only a few times. 

The Sussexes return to Harry’s home country comes after years of concern over security issues. Harry has long maintained that he didn’t feel that his wife and children could be safe in the U.K. without official royal protection – something he didn’t have access to as a non-working royal. As of now, it’s not clear what kind of security arrangements Harry and Meghan might have made for their return. 

Is King Charles’ health the reason for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s return?

Why have Harry and Meghan suddenly decided to return to the U.K.? They haven’t shared a specific motive for the move. But some royal family followers suspect King Charles’ health could be the underlying reason. In early 2024, the King revealed he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form cancer. He is still receiving treatment, and there is speculation that his prognosis might not be good and the Harry wants to be close to his father as a result

“I wonder if Charles’ health way worse than they’re letting on,” one person commented on Reddit.

“If this is true, I think Charles has to be dying,” another wrote. 

Whatever the reason, many hoped that Harry and Meghan’s move was a sign that their frosty relations with his family were improving. 

“I honestly hope this is a reconciliation and they’re welcomed back into the family,” commented one Instagram user. “With the health issues of a lot of of the family members, it’s time to bury the hatchet and let the past be the past.”

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