The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have returned to the United Kingdom from California and are focusing on settling their children into a new school near their family home in the Cotswolds. Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are expected to begin classes this week, as the couple seeks to maintain a low profile during this transition.

Friends of the Sussexes say the family is adjusting to life back in the UK, dealing with jet lag and unpacking while quietly managing everyday tasks such as purchasing school uniforms and supplies without attracting attention. The couple’s move is partly motivated by Prince Harry’s desire to spend more time with his father, King Charles, and to foster a relationship between their children and their grandfather. Their new residence is reportedly situated relatively close to Highgrove, the King’s Gloucestershire property.

Meghan, 45, is reportedly preparing to renew her involvement with British charitable organizations. Sources indicate she plans to rekindle her support for Smart Works, a charity that assists unemployed and vulnerable women by providing clothing, interview training, and networking opportunities. Meghan has maintained her patronage of Smart Works since her marriage in 2018, though she has not engaged publicly with the charity while living in the United States. For its tenth anniversary in 2023, she issued a statement praising the organization’s impact. A source close to the Duchess stated that she remains committed to her causes both in the UK and in Los Angeles and aims to develop a fair framework for media access to their public activities.

Prince Harry, 41, meanwhile is slated to undertake several engagements this month with charities he supports, including the Invictus Games, WellChild, and Imperial College’s Centre for Blast Injury Studies. His public appearances with Invictus are expected to increase in the lead-up to the 2025 Games, which will take place in Birmingham. Harry is also projected to participate in Remembrance Sunday observances alongside military charities, while working members of the royal family attend the Cenotaph ceremony.

While King Charles reportedly welcomes the private family connections afforded by the Sussexes’ return, sources close to the monarchy emphasize that their status as private individuals remains unchanged. The couple stepped back from official royal duties in 2020 and initially withdrew from the royal media rota system, which pools coverage of the royal family’s engagements. Since then, their stance on media access has eased somewhat, with selected royal reporters given access to some of Harry’s activities in Britain. Insiders note that Harry’s approach to public and media engagement has evolved since their departure.