Prince Harry has revealed why he and Meghan Markle returned to the United Kingdom with their children after spending six years living in the United States, saying the move was driven by family opportunities, British education and his desire to reconnect with his roots.
The Duke of Sussex opened up about the decision in a newly released interview with GQ journalist Zach Baron, recorded in New York City in September and published on October 20, 2026.
Harry explained that enrolling his children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, in a British school had become more meaningful to him than he initially expected.
“Opportunities for the family,” Harry said when asked why they had returned to Britain.
He added that being able to send his children to a British school had meant a great deal to him, particularly because it would allow them to experience a different culture from the one they knew in California.
The interview also offered insight into Harry’s desire to spend more time near his relatives and friends, show his children the country where he grew up, and move forward after years of difficult relations with sections of the British press.
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Read the full interview published by GQ for Harry’s own account of the family’s decision and his reflections on life after returning to Britain.
1. British education was a major reason for the move
One of the most important reasons Harry gave for returning to the UK was the opportunity to enrol Archie and Lilibet in British schools.
The Duke said he had not realised how important this would be to him until the children began attending school after the family’s relocation.
“Being able to put the kids in a British school has meant a lot to me. I didn’t know how important it was to me,” he explained.
Harry said the children had already spent two weeks at school and were enjoying their new experience.
“They’re loving it, and it’s just giving them a whole different experience,” he said.
The prince also emphasised that his comments were not intended as criticism of American education. Instead, he believes experiencing two different cultures could give his children a broader perspective as they grow up.
He said having children aged seven and five experience two distinct cultural environments was particularly valuable in the modern world.
The move therefore represents more than a change of residence for the Sussex family. It gives Archie and Lilibet an opportunity to experience aspects of British life that Harry remembers from his own childhood.
2. Harry wants his children to understand where he grew up
Another motivation behind the decision was Harry’s desire to show his children the country where he spent his formative years.
Having lived in the United States for six years, he said he had been able to return to Britain only for relatively short visits.
Moving back means he can spend longer periods on British soil with his entire family rather than travelling back and forth for brief stays.
Harry explained that he wanted his children to experience some of the positive aspects of his upbringing while giving them the opportunity to develop their own relationship with Britain.
He described the decision as a combination of his desire to return home and the circumstances surrounding the family’s life in America.
The prince acknowledged that the relocation had not been planned for a long time. Although he and Meghan had discussed the possibility, they decided to move when the circumstances appeared right.
He explained that when certain factors align and a decision begins to make sense, the family chooses to embrace the opportunity.
The comments suggest the move was shaped by several considerations rather than a single event.
3. Reconnecting with family and friends is important to Harry
Harry also spoke about wanting to be closer to his family and friends after years of living across the Atlantic.
He said returning to Britain had made it easier to spend time with people he had known for years and to reconnect with friends who also have children.
“It’s been nice to be close to friends, family, friends and friends and their children as well,” he said, describing the opportunity for regular playdates as a way to help Archie and Lilibet settle into their new surroundings.
The prince’s comments highlight the importance of creating a familiar social environment for his children as they adjust to life in a new country.
However, the return to Britain does not automatically mean every family relationship has been repaired. Harry has had a publicly strained relationship with parts of the royal family, particularly his brother, Prince William.
In the same interview, he expressed a wider hope that family disagreements could eventually be put behind them.
According to The Guardian’s report on Harry’s comments about family reconciliation, the Duke said he wanted to move beyond past conflicts and focus on rebuilding relationships where possible.
His remarks indicate that spending more time in Britain is important to him, although the future of individual family relationships remains uncertain.
4. Harry says the relationship with the British media has improved
Harry also addressed his difficult relationship with sections of the British press, an issue that has played a significant role in his public life.
The Duke has pursued legal action against British newspaper publishers over alleged unlawful information gathering and other conduct. He has repeatedly criticised media practices and their effects on his family.
During the GQ interview, however, he suggested that the environment had become somewhat easier to navigate because he and others had spoken openly about their experiences.
“I think once you’ve been through it, once you’ve been able to talk about it and raise awareness to it, then people see it for what it is, which makes the environment slightly easier,” he said.
Harry acknowledged that public discussion would not necessarily stop problematic behaviour, but he expressed hope that attitudes and conduct could change.
He also said there were aspects of the past that he, his family and some members of the British press might prefer to leave behind.
His comments suggest he wants a more respectful relationship with the media while remaining conscious of the difficulties he has experienced.
Harry added that he was optimistic about the future but not naive about the challenges that remain.
5. Harry says the move was a combination of factors
When asked whether the relocation was prompted mainly by life in the United States or by something he wanted to regain in Britain, Harry said it was a combination of both.
He explained that spending six years in America had given him time to reflect on where he wanted his family to live and what experiences he hoped his children would have.
The opportunity to return to his childhood home, spend more time with relatives and introduce Archie and Lilibet to British schools all contributed to the decision.
Harry also made clear that the move was not necessarily the result of a long-established plan. Instead, the family had considered the possibility before deciding to act when the circumstances aligned.
The relocation marks a significant change for the Sussexes, who stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020 and subsequently established their family life in California.
Their return to Britain has attracted considerable attention, particularly because it raises questions about how they will balance family life, privacy, security and their ongoing public commitments.
For now, Harry’s own explanation centres on his children’s opportunities, his connections to Britain and his hope of building a positive future for his family.
Conclusion
Prince Harry has explained that his family’s return to the UK was driven by a combination of educational opportunities for Archie and Lilibet, a desire to reconnect with family and friends, and the wish to show his children where he grew up.
The Duke of Sussex said he had been surprised by how important British schooling had become to him and revealed that his children were enjoying their new experience.
He also expressed hope that strained relationships and past disputes with sections of the British press could gradually improve.
Although the relocation does not resolve every challenge facing the Sussex family, Harry’s interview offers a clearer explanation of what he hopes to gain from returning to Britain: a broader cultural experience for his children, closer personal connections and an opportunity to move forward.
