Meghan and Prince Harry spent their last California weekend before moving back to Britain
Before relocating to the UK, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent their final weekend in California with close friends and Meghan's mother. The family stresses the move is not a permanent farewell, as they are keeping their California home.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, along with their children — seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet — arrived in Britain on Wednesday, August 26, a week after news broke of the family's plans to relocate to Harry's home country for an extended period. They flew to England on a private plane, bringing the family's dogs along as well.
Before departing, the family spent their last weekend at their Montecito home with the people closest to them, including friends of Archie and Lilibet and Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland. A source close to the family told People that the children were given the chance to say special goodbyes to their friends.
The family stresses, however, that the departure is not final. According to the source, it was more of a temporary arrangement, with the intention of returning in the future. The couple had reportedly been planning the move for some time and consider it the right choice for their family, though the process was emotional, as Meghan had grown deeply attached to life in Montecito, where the family had lived since 2020.
A new chapter begins
Archie and Lilibet will start school in the UK already in September. Meghan reportedly feels the children are fortunate to experience life in two countries, while Harry wants them to better understand the environment he grew up in and their family's roots.
In Britain, the family will be based at a private residence unconnected to the royal household, while keeping both their California home and a retreat property in Portugal. The move does not mean a return to senior royal duties — a point said to matter especially to Meghan, who has previously described feeling isolated and unhappy while carrying out royal responsibilities.
The couple stepped back from their roles as senior royals in 2020, moving to the US and repeatedly criticizing the British press and the royal family. People close to the family suggest Meghan's experience in Britain this time could be different.
