Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Reportedly Seek ‘Private Royals-Plus’ Arrangement Ahead of UK Return

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing to return to Britain before the end of the month — but their proposed new life in the UK could look very different from the royal role they left behind six years ago.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have no intention of returning as senior working royals. Instead, reports suggest they hope to establish what has been described by a source close to the couple as a “private royals-plus” arrangement, allowing them to remain private individuals while maintaining a more visible connection with the Royal Family.

The Sussexes have reportedly already secured a property, potentially in the Cotswolds, while Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have been enrolled in a British school.

Sussexes reportedly want a ‘unique arrangement’

Harry and Meghan met in 2016 and married in 2018 before stepping down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020 and beginning a new life outside Britain.

According to reports, their impending return will not reverse that decision.

Instead, the couple are said to be exploring a “unique arrangement” under which they would continue living as non-working members of the Royal Family while having a more visible connection to Harry’s relatives.

News24 reports that Harry and Meghan are hoping to secure King Charles’s support for the proposed setup.

Exactly what such an arrangement would involve has not been disclosed.

July meeting with King Charles could prove significant

The reports come after Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet spent five days in Britain in July.

During the visit, the Sussex family reportedly attended a private gathering with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House.

The meeting was particularly significant for the King, as it reportedly marked the first time he had seen Archie and Lilibet in four years. No further details about what was discussed have been made public.

It is understood that Charles would welcome more opportunities to spend time with his younger son and particularly his grandchildren.

The King, who is on the path of cancer recovery, was reportedly informed of the Sussexes’ plans to return to Britain three days before the news became public.

Attention now turns to William and Catherine

While the King is understood to welcome greater contact with Harry and his family, another major question surrounds how the Prince and Princess of Wales will respond.

No public reaction has been issued by Kensington Palace regarding the latest developments.

Harry and Meghan’s return would place the Sussexes geographically much closer to the wider Royal Family than they have been during their years in California, although their reported plans make clear that they are not seeking to resume their former positions as working royals.

The move would also not mean a complete departure from their lives overseas. Harry and Meghan are expected to retain their home in Montecito, California, as well as their property in Portugal.

For now, the precise shape of their proposed “private royals-plus” life remains unclear, but reports suggest the Sussexes are seeking something between their current private status and a more visible relationship with the Royal Family — without formally returning to royal duties.