ROYAL FAMILY
Harry and Meghan make surprising decision over living arrangement
He said his love for the UK, his home, would never change, while official documents have revealed an alteration to Prince Harry’s country records.
Prince Henry Charles Albert David, Duke of Sussex, – more casually known simply as Prince Harry – has officially declared the United States as his primary residence, according to recent documents filed in the UK. The disclosure came to light through a filing for the sustainable tourism charity Travalyst, an organisation founded by Harry himself. This official move signifies a significant shift for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, who have resided in California since stepping down from their roles as senior working royals in March 2020.
Why did Harry and Meghan change to US residency?
Although the electronic filing to Companies House was only made public recently, the document indicates that the change in residence was formalised on 29 June 2023. Coincidentally, this date aligns with Buckingham Palace’s confirmation that Prince Harry and Meghan had vacated Frogmore Cottage, their last remaining property in the UK. Frogmore, located on the Home Park Estate, was originally gifted to the couple by Queen Elizabeth II, and they had invested £2.4 million (c. $3 million) in its refurbishment and rental, according to royal accounts from 2019.
The decision to leave the estate followed a period of strained relations between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, notably exacerbated by revelations made in Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, published in January the previous year. In the memoir, Harry openly discussed rifts within the royal household, including tensions with his family members, including his brother, the Prince of Wales.
One of the driving factors behind the Sussexes’ relocation to the United States was Prince Harry’s desire to distance himself from what he described as the “toxic” environment perpetuated by the British press. Speaking on The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2020, Harry emphasized that stepping back from royal duties was not a decision to walk away entirely, but rather a necessary measure to protect his mental well-being.
Where do Harry and Meghan now live in the USA?
As a founder and active patron of Travalyst, Prince Harry is obligated to inform Companies House of significant changes to his personal circumstances, as shown in the public record above. Travalyst, established in 2019, operates as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable practices within the travel industry.
Since their move to the United States in 2020, Prince Harry, aged 39, and Meghan Markle, aged 42, along with their children, Prince Archie, aged 4, and Princess Lilibet, aged 2, have made their home in Montecito, California. This relocation, colloquially referred to as “Megxit,” has seen the couple embrace a new chapter in their lives away from the confines of royal obligations.
With their primary residence now established in the US, visits to the UK necessitate alternative accommodation arrangements, such as staying with friends or booking hotel accommodations. Despite the geographical distance, Prince Harry has expressed his contentment with their new life in California, emphasising the warmth of the community in Santa Barbara during a 2022 interview with “Today.”