Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's UK return: Royals gather for Balmoral summit as Harry slapped with legal bill


Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced they are returning to the UK with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet


prince harry meghan kate william© Photo: Getty Images
HELLO!
Rebecca LewisLos Angeles correspondent
Kate ThomasWebsite Editor
Alexandra HurtadoUS Royal News CorrespondentNew York
Rachel AveryHomes Editor
Updated: August 21, 2026

Everything you need to know about Harry and Meghan's UK U-turn:

Homes Editor

Harry & Meghan's incognito Cotswolds retreat

During a recent return to the UK, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle slipped away for a discreet family retreat in the Cotswolds, according to reports. Staying at a private Oxfordshire home owned by a wealthy acquaintance, the Sussexes brought along seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet for the covert stay. 

This would have been the perfect location for the family to head to King Charles and Queen Camilla's property, Highgrove in Gloucestershire.

They also paid a visit to Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, on the Althorp Estate.

Perhaps the rural locations are giving us a hint about where the family may be looking for a place to stay upon their impending return. 

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Homes Editor

The latest at the Sussex summit

After the shock revelation that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to return to the UK to live very soon, the royals have gathered at Balmoral Castle in what is being dubbed the "Sussex summit". However, this royal meet-up would have taken place regardless as the royal family are commencing their summer holiday in Aberdeenshire as they do each year.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were pictured arriving at the Balmoral estate. Other senior royals including Princess Anne and Mike and Zara Tindall were seen pulling onto site. 

We're sure that behind closed doors talk will turn to the Sussex news, as well as the usual jovial activities that a Balmoral summer brings with it - thinking hiking, horse riding and enjoying al fresco lunches. 

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Los Angeles correspondent

Acting return?

More news coming for Team Sussex -  Meghan is reportedly to join the cast of Netflix's The Gentleman.

There have been plenty of rumours about the Duchess of Sussex restarting her acting career, and a source close to the family told HELLO!: "There have been inquiries in the entertainment space recently and things that she is considering but nothing is firm yet. There are only conversations."

Read our full report here.


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Los Angeles correspondent

Today's Poll

On the back of this news, don't forget to take our latest poll: Is Meghan’s new acting opportunity the real reason behind the Sussexes’ UK return?

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, smiling in a strapless black and white dress.© Getty Images
Is Meghan returning to the small screen?

You can vote, and comment, here.

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Los Angeles correspondent

Kensington Palace silence

It's been almost two days since the news broke of the Sussexes' return to the UK, and we still haven't had any official word from Kensington Palace and the Waleses.

King Charles was made aware of their plans only three days before it was confirmed, and HELLO!'s Royal Editor Emily Nash says that Prince William and Kate -= who are likely "not delighted" about the news - may also only have been given a few days' notice.

Discover more about how and when William heard the news here.

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