2 min read
As Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan prepare to embark on a new chapter in the U.K., they first said goodbye to the community they have made in California over the past six years.
On Wednesday, the couple, their children—Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5—and their dogs, Pula and Mia, reportedly arrived in the U.K., where they are expected to live for an extended period for the first time since the Sussexes stepped down as senior members of the royal family in 2020.
Prior to their arrival, the family spent their last weekend in Montecito—the southern California coastal enclave where they have lived since 2020—surrounded by close friends and family. A source for People said that these included the children’s friends and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.
“They wanted to spend time with the people they’re closest to before they left and for the kids to have some special time with friends,” the source told the outlet. “It wasn’t a goodbye forever. It was much more, ‘We’ll be back, but this is what we’re doing right now.’”
The farewell was apparently an emotional one. “They’ve been planning this for some time, and they feel it’s the right thing for their family, but that doesn’t mean leaving was easy,” the source said. “Meghan really loves their life in Montecito and their home there. They know it’s going to take a little bit of time for everyone to settle in and adjust. There’s excitement about what’s ahead too, especially for the kids. They’re really happy for them and for everything they’ll get to experience.”
In addition to their new English home, the couple is expected to keep their Montecito estate as well as a vacation property in Portugal.
Archie and Lili are expected to start school in the U.K. this fall. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan will not be returning to their former senior royal positions. In fact, Meghan—who currently runs lifestyle brand As Ever—is rumored to be making a return to acting.