Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly leaving California and returning to the UK this month, with sources suggesting their years-long attempt to build an independent life and career in America has failed. The couple's move follows a string of business setbacks in Hollywood, including deals that reportedly failed to deliver on their expected value, and comes as they plan to enrol their children, Archie and Lilibet, in school in England. The development is said to have caught King Charles off guard, with reports suggesting he only learned of the couple's return on a Sunday and that it was not raised when he met Harry roughly six weeks earlier.

Royal commentators cited in reports describe the return as provoking a potential "crisis" for the monarchy, with sources insisting there can be no "half in, half out" arrangement for royal status this time. The couple are said to already have a property lined up to live in that is not a royal residence, distancing them from official royal life despite relocating back to Britain. The move caps roughly six years since Harry and Meghan stepped back from senior royal duties, a period marked by high-profile moments including their Oprah Winfrey interview and Harry's memoir "Spare".