Prince Harry seeks more time in the UK but says he will not move back, as Charles weighs a private base and security

Prince Harry would love to spend more time in the United Kingdom going forward, telling his father that a visit schedule could even be as frequent as every few months in 2026. But the Duke of Sussex has remained firm in his stance that he will not move back to Britain, insisting he is genuinely very happy in California.

The remarks come as Charles, king since September, has been described by insiders as being “absolutely clear” that Harry cannot be a half-in, half-out working royal. The monarch is said to be eager to repair the estrangement with his youngest son and to rebuild a relationship with Harry’s two children, Archie and Lilibet, while balancing security and royal duties.

royal aides have floated several options for a UK presence that would be acceptable to both sides. A pied-à-terre on the royal estate has been discussed as a possibility, with insiders noting there are multiple empty properties that could be repurposed if reconciliation continues. The Daily Mail cited the possibility of Frogmore Cottage, Adelaide Cottage and various flats at Kensington Palace as potential bases. One source said it would be difficult to place Harry next door to William and Kate, while another suggested Frogmore might be considered again if the plan to shift Prince Andrew out of Windsor pauses or collapses.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is perceived as less likely to relocate her life to Britain, with some sources saying she would probably prefer a private home in the Cotswolds away from a full royal spotlight. The Cotswolds has emerged in royal circles as a favored retreat for celebrities and for quiet family life, though it would place additional travel demands on the couple.

Harry has also signaled that he would like his children to experience a UK education, a point cited by friends who say he wants Archie and Lilibet to benefit from the country’s private-school network. Lambrook in Berkshire has been used as a benchmark by some, though Meghan is reported to oppose boarding or heavy emphasis on the traditional English schooling path. A spokesman for Harry and Meghan said the couple has not committed to any specific school for Archie or Lilibet and did not confirm any plan to move to the UK.

Security remains a pivotal issue in any potential return. Royal and security sources noted that if the king formally invites the Sussexes to stay on a royal property, armed protection would likely be reinstated from the moment they arrive, given the security perimeter around royal residences. Insiders stressed that any arrangement would hinge on an invited visit rather than an open-ended return, and that the Sussexes would still present a complex security calculus for Britain.

A separate thread in the discussions concerns the timing and logistics of any possible reconciliation. Harry’s comments in Kyiv earlier this month and subsequent remarks suggesting willingness to visit the UK more frequently have been interpreted by some observers as signaling a shift toward a more regular presence in Britain, albeit without a permanent relocation. The timing is viewed as fluid, with the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham cited as a potential fulcrum around which more frequent UK appearances could be organized.

The palace has long sought to maintain a careful balance: honoring Harry’s charitable work and public profile while managing questions about a formal return to royal duties. Some insiders say the king is delighted by the possibility of closer ties with his son and grandchildren, and that he remains open to a practical, security-conscious arrangement that does not re-create the old role Harry held within the monarch’s working circle.

The question of Meghan’s willingness to join Harry in Britain remains less certain. After a 2022 London visit that drew boos from some onlookers and her limited return since, measures would need to be negotiated to ensure her comfort with public reception and security. The broader atmosphere around the royal family in the wake of ongoing scrutiny also factors into whether a UK base would be viable.

In this context, the king has reportedly considered options that would keep Harry within reach of the family circle while avoiding a full, formal re-entry into the institution. Adelaide Cottage is expected to become available as William and Kate relocate to Forest Lodge near Windsor later this year, and several other royal properties—some at Kensington Palace and St James’s Palace—could offer suitable, lower-profile arrangements if needed. Buckingham Palace is undergoing a substantial refurbishment, which could influence decisions about where the Sussexes might stay if they spend extended periods in Britain.

For now, the royal household is focused on a measured approach that would allow for travel, charitable work, and family time without obligating Harry to resume a working royal status. The situation underscored by the latest reporting remains contingent on an official invitation, ongoing security assessments, and the evolving dynamics between the Prince and the rest of the royal family.

World news desks continue to track the evolving relationship between Prince Harry, Meghan, and the royal family as talks influence potential visits, schooling choices for Archie and Lilibet, and the logistics of a UK presence that could accommodate a reconciled, but non-traditional, arrangement. The next significant milestone could be Harry and his children returning to Britain for visits tied to personal or charitable commitments, with security and suitability of accommodations evaluated in tandem with royal aides and UK authorities.