LONDON (AP) - Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, marking what U.K. media describes as a fresh start after their six-year stint in the United States. The couple's return has sparked interest, especially after they recently announced their plans to come back to Britain.
Reports indicate that their private charter flight from Van Nuys, California, landed at Birmingham International Airport at approximately 11:56 a.m. local time. Their arrival was covered by various news organizations, including the BBC and the Daily Telegraph.
The couple's two children, Prince Archie, aged 7, and Princess Lilibet, aged 5, have already enrolled in British schools, with plans for them to begin classes in September. The family intends to live in a private, non-royal residence situated outside of London, although the exact location remains undisclosed.
Since stepping back from royal duties in early 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan have expressed their desire for independence and earning their own living, which led them to settle in California. They subsequently signed lucrative deals with major streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify. However, their departure from royal life has been fraught with challenges, including strains in relationships with family members.
Relations between Prince Harry and the royal family have been tumultuous since their move. The couple made claims regarding the palace staff's insensitivity towards Meghan's mental health and accused certain royals of racism and media manipulation. These revelations generated significant public discourse and discord within the royal household.
In recent months, tensions appear to have lessened, particularly between Harry and his father, King Charles III, who is currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer diagnosed in 2024. However, the relationship between Harry and Prince William, the heir to the throne, continues to be strained. In a past statement, Harry admitted his desire to reconcile with his family, mentioning concerns about his father's health and the importance of fostering a relationship between the children and their grandfather.
Last month, Harry, Meghan, and their children visited King Charles at his Highgrove Estate in western England. This visit was notable as it marked the first time Archie and Lilibet had met their grandfather in person since their family trip to Britain in 2022 for commemorative events celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign. Remarkably, King Charles was not informed about Harry and Meghan's planned move back to the U.K. until just a week ago.
As the couple embarks on this next chapter of their lives in the United Kingdom, the implications for their relationships with the royal family, as well as their public persona, remain to be seen. Their story continues to attract global attention, reflecting the complex dynamics of modern royal life.
