Prince Harry has finally revealed why he and Meghan Markle decided to return to the UK after six years abroad.
In a face-to-face interview with GQ's Zach Baron, the Duke of Sussex said that while such a "big decision" to relocate would take a "lot of planning" for most people, for his family it had been "very short".
During the chat, which was filmed in New York and released on Tuesday, Harry, 42, was asked: "You've just moved back to the UK, how come?"
"Opportunities," he responded, before clarifying: "For the family. Being able to put the kids [Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet] in a British school meant a lot to me. I didn't realise how important it was to me.
© Instagram"I always thought it would be something we would try and do, but now they've been in the school for two weeks, they're loving it, and it's giving them a whole different experience."
The Duke said it is "so important" for his children, Archie aged seven and Lilibet aged five, to have two "completely different cultural experiences", after living in Montecito, California, since 2020.
As well as his children's school, the Duke said that he wanted to be "closer to family" – though he didn't clarify who.
He continued: "To be back closer to my family and to be back on UK soil for longer than a few days, or a week here or there.
"This wasn't something we'd planned for a long time. It's something we thought about and considered, but for us, when certain stars align, then we lean into that."
© Getty Images for Clinton GlobalHarry clarifies comments from his interview
The Prince said: "To have my whole family with me, the place that I grew up, wanting to be able to show my kids where I grew up, the experiences I have, provided real proper, serious thinking. This is an opportunity to do this now, and it's good to be outside of the US and let things settle down for a bit."
He added: "It's been nice to be close to friends and family."
Speaking about reuniting with his family, Harry said, "Some people don't want it to work out," an apparent swipe at his older brother, Prince William, to whom he has not spoken for four years.
© GettyA Sussex spokesperson later confirmed his comments on others not wanting to work things out were "absolutely not intended as a swipe at his brother or any other member of his family".
They added: "The comment was made in a general context and was not directed at his family in any way."
HELLO! previously revealed that Harry has not met his father in person since his return to the UK in August, though they have spoken on the phone.
Harry and Meghan's new life in the UK
The Duke and Duchess are believed to be living in the Cotswolds in a non-royal residence after returning to the UK – with Meghan sharing occasional glimpses of their new life in the countryside to her Instagram account.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are said to be enjoying their new school, after being pulled out of their first-choice option after just two days over security concerns.
© Getty ImagesMeghan has continued to work on her As Ever lifestyle brand, launching several new products, including a holiday collection for Christmas and a homeware range including a jam plushie and a crockery set.
Last week, the Sussexes visited Nottingham for their first joint outing in the UK for six years, taking part in three quasi-royal engagements in the city.
Harry said in his interview: "It's been nice to be close to friends, family, friends and friends and their children as well – to be able to have endless play dates to really, like, help our kids settle in."
