Sussexes arrive in UK with children to start new life
Prince Harry and Meghan have returned to the UK with their children, planning to live in the Cotswolds, with security arrangements still unresolved.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived back in the UK with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, after six years living in California. The family landed at Birmingham Airport on a private jet around midday, beginning what is described as an extended period of residence in Britain. They are expected to base themselves in the Cotswolds, an area they know well from their time living in Oxfordshire in 2018.
The move has been driven largely by the children's schooling. Archie and Lilibet have been enrolled in British schools, with the new term due to start next week. The family will have around a week to settle in before the children begin their new school year. The couple will remain non-working royals, and there has been no official comment from Buckingham Palace, though the King is said to be happy to see his son and grandchildren more often.
Security remains a significant unresolved issue. The family arrived without police protection and left the airport without an escort. Prince Harry has previously said he could not guarantee his children's safety in the UK without formal security arrangements. A review of his security status, conducted by the government's RAVEC committee, has been ongoing, but no decision has been announced. The question of whether the family should receive taxpayer-funded police protection has sparked debate, with some arguing that as a private citizen Harry should pay for his own security, while others point to the real threats he faces.
Relations with the wider royal family are still strained. The King and Prince Harry met last month at Highgrove, which was seen as a positive step, but there has been no rapprochement with Prince William. The couple's return is being carefully managed, with a focus on privacy for the children. Meghan is reportedly considering a return to acting, with speculation about a role in a Netflix series, while also expanding her lifestyle brand. Harry is expected to continue his charity work, including the WellChild Awards and Invictus Games.
Public opinion is divided. Polls suggest a majority of Britons are indifferent to the couple's return, and their approval ratings are negative, particularly among older generations. However, younger people are more positive. Branding experts say the couple face a long task to rebuild their public image after the acrimonious split from royal duties. The challenge, as one commentator put it, is turning a dramatic exit into a credible comeback.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | GB News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Harry, Meghan, and their children returned to the UK, landing at Birmingham Airport without police protection. | · | · | ||||
| The children have been enrolled in new schools for the upcoming term. | · | · | · | |||
| The family will base themselves at a private property in the Cotswolds. | · | · | · | |||
| Security arrangements remain unresolved. | · | · | · | · | ||
| A judge ordered Prince Harry and six others to pay an initial £9.5 million in legal costs, and ruled that the Mail can claim costs on an indemnity basis because the claims were unreasonable to a high degree. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| British taxpayers may have to pay £5 million a year for Harry and Meghan's security. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Emily Thornberry said Prince Harry absolutely deserves police protection. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Former royal protection officer Scott Hamer said Prince Harry should receive state-funded security, expressed concern about delays, and suggested possible interference from the government or royal household. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Harry said 15 months ago he did not foresee bringing his wife and children back to Britain. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Lord Blunkett and Emily Thornberry have spoken publicly about the security issue. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Polls showed 57% of people did not care about the return of Harry and Meghan, and approval ratings were negative. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| RAVED conducted a complete reassessment of Prince Harry's security a month ago. | · | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
GB News focused on the controversy over security funding, questioning why taxpayers should pay for the couple's protection and suggesting the return is motivated by money and profile. The tone was critical and sceptical of the Sussexes' intentions.
- “Britain's want Prince Harry to make up and cough up”
- “I've stopped believing the line that we were told, by the way, about how the King only found out about this on Sunday.”
- “British taxpayers are going to have to cough up five million quid a year for their security.”
BBC ONE West provided straightforward factual reporting on the arrival, focusing on the private landing, the Cotswolds base, the children's school enrolment, and the couple's future plans. It avoided speculation and kept a neutral tone.
- “Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet have, as you say, landed back in the UK.”
- “They have arrived back privately, so not on any commercial aircraft.”
- “The two children, Archie and Lilibet, have been enrolled in school.”
ITV1 led with the breaking news of the arrival, highlighting the lack of police protection and the security question. It also added lighter details, such as the couple's dogs coming with them, and noted the speed of the move.
- “We have just had Confirmation on this and what we've been told is that Prince Harry, Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet Have now arrived back in Britain.”
- “We understand that they arrived around midday at Birmingham Airport We're told they had no police protection and that they left the airport without an escort”
- “It's thought the family will base themselves at a private property in the Cotswolds”
5 News focused on the surprise of the return, the timing around school, and the unresolved security issue. The tone was conversational, with a royal commentator providing analysis on family relations and the couple's future.
- “I always thought that they would come back at some point but not this this soon”
- “they flew in it's understood on a private jet from california landing at birmingham airport around midday today”
- “the security issue is not resolved”
BBC News provided in-depth coverage of the arrival, the security debate, and the family's future plans. It also noted the King's reaction and the ongoing strain with Prince William, while emphasising that the couple's return is a new chapter.
- “Prince Harry and his family have returned to the UK where they're now planning to live.”
- “It is thought the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will base themselves in the Cotswolds.”
- “the big issue at the time had been about the security”
Sky News focused on the security debate, public opinion, and the branding challenge facing the Sussexes. It featured a former royal protection officer arguing for state-funded security, and cited polls showing negative approval ratings.
- “Prince Harry should have state-funded security”
- “57% of people reportedly don't care about the return of Harry and Meghan”
- “The challenge for the Sussexes turning their dramatic exit into a credible comeback”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.