Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are set to return to Britain, marking a significant shift more than six years after they stepped back from their roles as working members of the royal family and relocated to the United States.
The couple first began their relationship nearly a decade ago, marrying in May 2018. Meghan, an American actress who is three years older than Harry, is biracial, divorced, and known for her outspoken views. Their high-profile union was widely seen as a transformative moment, ushering in a more inclusive and modern era for the historic British monarchy.
The couple has two children: Prince Archie, born in London in May 2019, and Princess Lilibet, born in California in June 2021.
Despite their initial popularity, the couple struggled with the intense scrutiny and relentless pressure of royal life in Britain, where the media frequently targeted Meghan. Citing these challenges, they made the decision to step back from their royal duties in early 2020.
Below is a comprehensive timeline of their departure from the royal fold, their life in North America, and the events leading up to their anticipated return to the United Kingdom.
October 2019: Meghan and Prince Harry announced a six-week break from royal duties later in the year, spending their son Archie’s first Christmas privately on Vancouver Island, Canada—a move that, in hindsight, foreshadowed their eventual departure.
January 2020: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially announced their intention to “carve out a progressive new role” in the British monarchy, declaring their plans to “step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family” and “work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.” The announcement, made without prior clearance from Queen Elizabeth II, triggered a major crisis within the royal household.
Buckingham Palace subsequently confirmed that the couple would relinquish their royal titles, forfeit state funding, and repay approximately $3 million in taxpayer money used to renovate their official residence at Windsor Castle.
March 2020: The couple participated in their final official engagements as working royals. As of March 31, they officially ceased to be full-time members of the House of Windsor.
September 2020: Having settled in California, the couple launched their media careers, establishing Archewell Productions and signing a multi-year deal with Netflix to produce documentaries, docuseries, feature films, and children’s programming.
February 2021: Buckingham Palace announced that Harry and Meghan had confirmed to Queen Elizabeth II that they would not be returning as working members of the royal family, solidifying a permanent break after the monarch made it clear she would not tolerate a partial or half-in, half-out arrangement.
March 2021: In a landmark interview with Oprah Winfrey on CBS, Meghan disclosed her struggles with suicidal thoughts during her time as a royal, describing a transition from a fairy-tale beginning to a suffocating and cruel reality. She also addressed issues of race and privilege within the upper echelons of British society, casting an uncomfortable and revealing light on the royal family.
June 2021: Princess Lilibet of Sussex, the couple’s second child, was born in a hospital in California.
June 2022: Prince Harry and Meghan attended Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations together in Britain.
September 2022: Queen Elizabeth II passed away, and the couple attended her funeral. The event drew intense public and media scrutiny, particularly in light of ongoing tensions between Meghan and her husband and his brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate Middleton.
December 2022: The couple’s Netflix docuseries premiered, offering further candid revelations about their struggles with family members and the British press.
January 2023: Prince Harry released his highly anticipated memoir, “Spare,” detailing his personal struggles and conflicts within his family.
May 2023: Prince Harry attended the coronation of his father, King Charles III, without Meghan, who remained in the United States. He departed the ceremony shortly after the event concluded.
March 2025: Meghan launched her lifestyle show on Netflix, titled “With Love, Meghan,” featuring cooking, gardening, and social gatherings. The series ran for two seasons and a Christmas special, after which her lifestyle brand, As Ever, announced a transition to independence from Netflix.
August 2025: The production company representing the Sussexes signed a new, less lucrative deal with Netflix compared to their previous agreement.
July 2026: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accompanied by their two children, met with King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Britain for the first time in years. The visit, signaling a thaw in relations between Harry and his father, sparked widespread speculation about a potential reconciliation and return to the royal fold.
August 2026: Prince Harry and his family are preparing to move back to Britain in the coming weeks, according to reports. King Charles III was informed of the decision in advance, though the topic was not raised during the family’s summer visit. Harry and Meghan will continue to operate as non-working royals.