Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Trade Tinseltown for a Crown-Free British Homecoming

Published 08/19/2026, 8:33 PM EDT

(190508) -- WINDSOR, May 8, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R), and his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, pose for a photo with their son in St George s Hall at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Britain, on May 8, 2019. The baby boy, who is Queen Elizabeth's eighth great-grandchild, is seventh in line to the throne, behind the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and his children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - and Prince Harry. (Xinhua Dominic Lipinski PA Wire) BRITAIN-WINDSOR-ROYALS-BABY

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle built a new life in Montecito after stepping away from royal duties back in 2020. Since then, the couple has signed Netflix deals, launched a lifestyle brand, and kept London firmly in the rearview mirror. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have grown up mostly outside the palace gates that once defined their father's childhood. Six years later, fresh reports hint that the family's American chapter may be quietly closing.

While Montecito once felt like a permanent address, whispers from across the Atlantic suggest the Sussexes are eyeing a very different postcode.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set their sights on a new home in Britain

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are packing up their California life and heading back to Britain for good. The BBC reported that the couple plans to settle into a private residence outside London, stepping away from Montecito as their primary base. As first reported by the Daily Telegraph and the Sun, the relocation news broke well ahead of any official palace statement. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are reportedly already enrolled in a British school starting this September.

25 09 2019. Cape Town, South Africa. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with baby Archie as they meet Archbishop Tutu in Cape Town, South Africa on the third day of the Royal Tour . xi-Imagesx IIM-20183-0054

King Charles reportedly learned of the decision over the weekend, well before the story became public. Despite the move, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have no plans to resume senior royal duties or public appearances on behalf of the monarchy. The BBC noted that the pair intend to keep their Montecito estate along with a property in Portugal, treating Britain as a base rather than an exclusive return. 

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As Britain welcomes the Sussexes home, Hollywood tells a very different story about their box office fortunes.

Cookie Queens flop adds pressure on the Sussexes brand

Away from royal matters, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced a rough week in Hollywood following the release of their documentary Cookie Queens. The film, centered on four children selling Girl Scout cookies, earned only about $354,262 during its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo figures. Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield suggested the pair step back from public projects for a while, noting their name alone no longer guarantees audience curiosity the way it once did.

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Illustration logos in France - 7 Mar 2025 Poster on phone of the series With Love Meghan on Meghan Markle available on the Netflix platform. Poster on phone of the series With Love Meghan on Meghan Markle available on the Netflix platform. Photo taken in Clonas, France on Friday March 07, 2025. France Copyright: xRomainxDoucelinx xSOPAxImagesx DSC_7571

Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams offered a similar view, noting that the couple's biggest commercial wins have come from projects tied directly to their split from the royal family, including their Oprah Winfrey interview and Prince Harry's memoir Spare. Newer ventures like With Love, Meghan and Polo have struggled to match that pull, suggesting fading interest beyond royal-related drama. As Hollywood momentum cools, Britain may be offering Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a quieter, more familiar stage to stand on.

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What are your thoughts on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle swapping Hollywood glamour for a quieter British life? Let us know in the comments.

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Shraddha Priyadarshi

2001 articles

Shraddha is a content chameleon with 3 years of experience, expertly juggling entertainment and non-entertainment writing, from scriptwriting to reporting. Having a portfolio of over 2,000 articles, she has covered everything from Hollywood’s glitzy drama to the latest pop culture trends. With a knack for telling stories that keep readers hooked, Shraddha thrives on dissecting celebrity scandals and cultural moments.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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