Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Start a New Chapter at School in Britain

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have reached a major milestone as they begin the new school year in Britain, marking the first time either child has attended school in the United Kingdom.

The 7-year-old Archie and 5-year-old Lilibet are settling into British school life after Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, returned to the U.K. with their children. The family has established a private base in Britain while keeping its home in Montecito, California.

The details of the children’s school and the family’s British residence have not been made public. That privacy has allowed the Sussex children to begin this next stage with as much normality as possible.

Settling the Children Comes First

For Harry and Meghan, the immediate priority has been helping Archie and Lilibet adjust to a completely different routine.

A source close to the couple told PEOPLE that getting the children settled has remained their main focus. The family has had to adapt after moving thousands of miles from California to Britain, with school, home life and a new daily routine all being established at the same time.

The source also described the move as a busy period for the family but said Harry and Meghan are happy to be back in Britain.

That focus on family comes as the Sussexes begin an extended period in the country rather than a return to official royal life. Their Montecito residence remains part of their life in the United States, while their new British home provides a base closer to Harry’s birthplace and upbringing.

For Archie and Lilibet, the arrangement creates a childhood that spans two countries. California remains familiar territory after most of their early years there, while Britain now becomes part of their everyday school experience.

From California Childhood to British Classrooms

Archie was born in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2019. After Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as working members of the royal family in 2020, the family eventually settled in California.

Lilibet was born in California on June 4, 2021.

The children have therefore spent much of their childhood in the United States. Their move back to Britain represents a significant change, particularly because this is their first time attending school in the country.

The decision also gives Archie and Lilibet a more direct connection to their father’s home country and the British side of their family heritage.

Their British education comes after the children returned to the U.K. with their parents in August 2026. The Sussexes’ decision to maintain their California home means their lives will continue to have an American side as well.

A Reunion With King Charles

The family’s return to Britain has also brought Archie and Lilibet closer to Harry’s extended family.

In July 2026, Harry, Meghan and their two children met King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House. Buckingham Palace described the gathering as a private family occasion. It was the first time in years that Charles had seen Archie and Lilibet.

The meeting came after a period in which Harry’s relationship with his father had been strained. Harry had returned to Britain for charity-related commitments, while speculation had surrounded whether he would be able to reunite with the King and bring his family with him.

The July meeting offered Archie and Lilibet an opportunity to spend time with their grandfather as they prepared for a longer period of life in Britain.

Another Big School Year for the Young Royals

Archie and Lilibet are not the only young members of the royal family beginning a new educational chapter this September.

Prince George, the eldest child of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, began at Eton College in September 2026. His move marked the end of his time at Lambrook School.

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, meanwhile, have continued their education at Lambrook.

George’s move to Eton has particular family significance because both Prince William and Prince Harry attended the school. His first day on September 8, 2026, was accompanied by William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Harry and Meghan Remain Outside Official Royal Duties

Although Harry, Meghan and their children are now spending significant time in Britain, the move does not represent a return to official royal duties.

Harry and Meghan stepped back as working members of the royal family in January 2020. Their current status remains separate from that of working members of the monarchy.

In September 2026, King Charles III reaffirmed that the couple remain non-working members of the royal family. Their charitable activities continue in a private capacity rather than as official royal engagements.

That distinction is important as the Sussex family establishes a new routine in Britain. Their return places them geographically closer to the royal family, but it does not restore their former working roles.

Meghan’s Approach to the School Transition

The start of the British school year also echoes parenting advice Meghan shared with PEOPLE in 2025.

She previously discussed simple ways parents could make the return to school easier for children, including handwritten notes, small surprises in their backpacks and conversations about the best and most difficult parts of the day.

Those ideas take on particular relevance now as Archie and Lilibet adjust to a new country, a new school environment and a different daily rhythm.

For children who have spent most of their lives in California, the transition represents a considerable change. At the same time, the move gives them an opportunity to become more familiar with the country that has been such an important part of their father’s life and family history.

A New Balance Between Britain and California

Archie and Lilibet’s first year at school in Britain marks a new phase for the Sussex family.

Their lives will now include British classrooms and a home in the U.K., while their Montecito residence remains in place. The arrangement allows the children to experience both the country where they spent their early years and the country where their father grew up.

For Harry and Meghan, the immediate task is settling their children and establishing a workable family routine after the move. For Archie and Lilibet, it is the beginning of their first school experience in Britain.

The significance of the change may ultimately be less about royal expectations and more about the children becoming comfortable with another part of their family story. Their new school year gives them a chance to build connections with Britain while continuing to remain closely tied to the American life they have known since childhood.