How Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Spent Their Last California Weekend Before Big Move
2 min readTHE RUNDOWN
- Meghan Markle and Prince Harry decided to return to the U.K. to live with Archie and Lilibet.
- The couple said goodbye to friends and family in California during a final weekend in Montecito.
- A source shared their thoughts about leaving and potential plans to return.
On Wednesday, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived in the U.K. after saying goodbye to their home in Montecito, California, accompanied by their children, Archie and Lilibet. The couple reportedly spent their last weekend with friends and family, per a source speaking with People, who said that Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, was visiting.
“They wanted to spend time with the people they’re closest to before they left and for the kids to have some special time with friends,” the source shared. “It wasn’t a goodbye forever. It was much more, ‘We’ll be back, but this is what we’re doing right now.’”
The source added, “They’ve been planning this for some time, and they feel it’s the right thing for their family, but that doesn’t mean leaving was easy. Meghan really loves their life in Montecito and their home there. They know it’s going to take a little bit of time for everyone to settle in and adjust. There’s excitement about what’s ahead too, especially for the kids. They’re really happy for them and for everything they’ll get to experience.”
Meghan and Harry will not be living in a royal residence in the U.K., nor resuming their duties as working members of the royal family. They also intend to maintain their home in Montecito, indicating an intention to return or at least visit. When the pair first moved to the U.S. in 2020, they were attempting to leave behind some of the scrutiny of being in the royal family.
“She has been vocal about how she felt about it before, but that doesn’t mean things are going to be exactly the same again,” another insider told People. “It doesn’t mean it can’t be different and can’t change.”
They continued, “Meghan feels very fortunate that they’re able to give Archie and Lilibet the opportunity to experience both worlds.”