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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to relocate Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the United Kingdom for an extended period this fall, bringing the children geographically closer to King Charles III and their royal cousins six years after stepping away from royal life, according to recent reports.
Relocation Plans and School Enrollment for Archie and Lilibet
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to establish a private, non-royal residence in Britain while maintaining their primary home in Montecito, California, according to reported details of the move. Seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet have already been enrolled in a British school and are expected to begin classes in September. The family’s return follows an extended absence that began when Harry and Meghan stepped away from royal life.
The exact location of the new British residence and the specific school chosen for the children have not been disclosed, citing privacy and security reasons. For most of their lives, Archie and Lilibet have grown up in California far from public view. Archie was born in London in May 2019, while Lilibet was born in California in June 2021, after the family’s relocation to the United States.
Proximity to King Charles and the Royal Family
The upcoming relocation places Archie and Lilibet significantly closer to King Charles III, following a private family reunion at Highgrove House this past summer, according to source accounts. That July trip marked the first time the monarch had seen his grandchildren since Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
Did you know? Archie was just weeks old when he joined his cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis for a family afternoon at a charity polo match in July 2019, providing some of the earliest public images of the cousins together.
However, during the July 2019 and subsequent visits, interactions with other members of the royal family remained limited. Prince William, Princess Kate, and their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—did not attend the Highgrove House gathering. There is currently no public indication that a reunion between the five royal cousins has been arranged following the upcoming move.
Line of Succession and Parallel Royal Lives
The five royal children occupy distinct positions in the British line of succession while growing up under different circumstances. Prince George is second in line to the throne, followed by Princess Charlotte in third and Prince Louis in fourth place. Archie and Lilibet stand sixth and seventh in the line of succession, immediately following Prince Harry.
While the Sussex children prepare for their move to Britain, the Wales children are experiencing educational transitions of their own. Prince George is expected to begin attending Eton this fall, while Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis continue their studies at Lambrook School in Berkshire, according to published schedules.
Persistent Family Tensions and Future Opportunities
While Prince Harry’s relationship with King Charles has shown signs of improvement following recent meetings, public reports indicate that Harry’s relationship with Prince William remains distant, with no public sign of a reconciliation between the brothers. Consequently, whether the five cousins will spend time together remains uncertain, though the physical barrier of the Atlantic Ocean will no longer separate them.
Until now, any gathering between the cousins required transatlantic travel and extensive planning. Beginning this fall, all five grandchildren of King Charles will reside in the same country, altering the landscape for the younger generation of the royal family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet currently live?
Archie and Lilibet have spent most of their lives in Montecito, California, after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relocated to the United States.
Where do the Sussex children rank in the line of succession?
Prince Archie is sixth and Princess Lilibet is seventh in the British line of succession, following their father, Prince Harry.
Have Archie and Lilibet met their cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis?
Archie met the Wales children as an infant in 2019, but public records do not confirm whether Lilibet has ever met her three cousins.
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