Will the UK royal family welcome Harry and Meghan back? Expert urges couple to 'move slowly'

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle intend to return to Britain this month, following their six-year departure from royal duties to reside in the United States, according to reports by People magazine and British newspaper The Telegraph. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, will be moving from their California home to Britain, where the children will commence their education in September.

No statement has been issued by Harry's representative or Buckingham Palace, but a source familiar with the couple confirmed the news.

The couple, who married in 2018 at Windsor Castle, had initially been expected to enhance the monarchy's appeal. However, tensions soon arose, leading to their decision to step down from official duties in March 2020 and relocate to Montecito, California. There, they faced criticism for their disparaging remarks about the royal family in interviews and Meghan's documentary, as well as Harry's memoir, titled "Spare."

This led to a significant rift between Harry and his father, King Charles, and his elder brother, Prince William. Despite Harry's displeasure with the British government altering his security arrangements, relations with the king seem to have improved recently. The king met Harry and Meghan for the first time in 20 months in September, and they visited Britain last month, where Charles met his grandchildren for the first time since 2022.

However, the king was only made aware of the couple's intent to return to Britain on Sunday. While Harry's relationship with the king has improved, he is still estranged from his brother.