The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have relocated from California to the United Kingdom for an extended period, marking a significant shift after six years of living in Montecito. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, left their home last Wednesday, sources familiar with the situation confirmed.

The move follows a final weekend spent with friends and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, in California before the family’s departure. According to people close to the couple, the decision to return to the UK is temporary, with plans to eventually return to their residence in Montecito. “It’s not a goodbye for ever, more ‘We’ll be back, but this is what we’re doing right now,’” a source said.

Last seen in a promotional image for Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever, the duchess was pictured wearing a white T-shirt, skirt, and sunhat in what appears to be her garden at the Montecito estate. The photograph, shared on social media, may hold additional emotional significance given her impending absence from the home.

While the family has embraced their life in California, the move indicates a period of transition as they reassess their living arrangements and personal commitments. The relocation is expected to allow the Sussexes to spend more time in the UK amid their ongoing public and private projects.

Representatives for the couple have not provided further details on the duration of their stay in the UK or plans for the future. The family’s decision to split time between two continents reflects a balancing act between their personal lives and public roles.