After six years in the United States, Harry and Meghan landed in England. Just last week it was reported that the two were planning their return to the kingdom during August, and here it has already happened: according to a BBC report, the two landed today (Wednesday) together with their two children, Archie (7) and Lilibat (5). “It’s not something we comment on,” a spokesperson for the couple told the corporation.
Those who expected a well-publicized reception in London, discovered that the couple and their children arrived on a direct private flight that took off from California, and instead of landing at one of the capital’s main airports such as Heathrow or Gatwick, the plane landed at Birmingham Airport. The choice allowed them to completely escape the eyes of the media and photographers, and also significantly shortened the way to the Cotswolds region, where they are expected to settle.
As soon as they landed, the family went straight down into the array of vehicles and private security that was waiting for them on the spot, and was driven from the field quickly and in complete secrecy. The couple, who stormed out of Britain at the time, are not expected to return to official roles in the royal family, but to live in the country as royals (with their official titles as Dukes of Sussex) “not working”.
And what about the entourage? According to the “Daily Mirror”, the couple’s two dogs, Mia and Paula, arrived with them in London. But the ones who were least upgraded to business class were the couple’s ten chickens, who stayed in the luxurious coop in California. The house itself, by the way, is really not a candidate for sale, and the staff members who stay there are supposed to take care of the chickens while the family does the kingdom.
The choice to keep the house (and the chickens) in the United States is quite a thick hint that Harry and Meghan have not completely separated from California, and plan to continue spending a lot of their time there. As we reported at the beginning of the week, the relocation to the kingdom is expected to last between six months and a year only, and does not necessarily mark a permanent return to the bosom of the royal family. An insider revealed to the British tabloid: “It’s going to be for an extended period, but they themselves don’t yet know exactly how long they will stay in Britain.”
Meanwhile, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are already fully prepared to start the school year this September at a prestigious private school in the UK, a decision that was made very recently – just a week before the announcement, at the moment when the final confirmation of their acceptance was received. “The timing is perfect in terms of the children’s studies, along with the strong desire to be close to the family,” said an insider.
The couple is expected to settle in a house that does not belong to the royal family, outside of London, in the prestigious area of the Cotswolds; A location that is near the Highgrove estate of King Charles, and not far from the Althorp estate of the Spencer family – where the late Princess Diana spent her youth. Beyond family nostalgia, the location allows Harry to be close to projects that are important to him, such as the Invictus Games that are expected to take place in Birmingham next year.
The one who was the first to find out about this in the kingdom was King Charles (77), who received a phone call from his son just four days before the news spread around the world. Despite the sediments of the past and the media storms that would have caused any average family to cut ties, sources in the palace were quick to reassure and said that the king is really not angry. On the contrary – he is actually excited by the possibility of finally spending real quality time with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.