Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised royal fans when they announced their intention to move back to the U.K. immediately. Now, one of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s close friends has weighed in on the couple’s decision to leave Montecito, California.
During an appearance on British TV show This Morning on August 21, author and journalist Bryony Gordon shared (via Hello! magazine), “What I understand is that they have decided to be more of an international family.”
Gordon continued, “California is lovely. I’ve been to their house in Montecito. It’s gorgeous. They’re not letting go of it. It will remain somewhere that you can escape to.”
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As for why the Sussexes decided to move to the U.K. in 2026, the writer explained, “What I understand is that as lovely as California is, it’s a long way away from lots of things.”
(Image credit: William WEST / AFP via Getty Images)
The family’s recent trip to the U.K. included spending time at Princess Diana‘s ancestral home, Althorp House, with her brother Earl Spencer. According to Gordon, Archie and Lilibet‘s positive experiences visiting England likely contributed to the family’s decision to move.
“When they came in July, they had a really lovely time at Althorp…with [Harry’s] uncle, Earl Spencer,” Gordon said. “I think that was really lovely, and I think the kids really loved it, and I think they want to be closer to that.”
When asked about the expenses required to keep homes in the U.S. and the U.K., Gordon replied, “I guess that they just have lots of money, don’t they? I don’t know.”
The author continued, “I don’t know how they’re going to fund it, but what I do know is that the plan is, is that they’re going to be…more international.”
Basically, Meghan, Harry, Archie, and Lilibet are about to undergo a huge change when they leave Montecito to build a new life in England.
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