The Sussex family moved back two weeks ago after spending six years in the US, with Archie and Lili beginning at their new schools.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are “happy to be back” in the UK, and getting Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet settled “remains their focus”, according to reports.

Archie, seven, and five-year-old Lili have started the new school year in Britain after the family relocated from the US just two weeks ago, according to People magazine.

A source close to Harry and Meghan told the US publication that settling the children “has been, and remains, their focus. Everything else will fall into place when the time is right”.

They added: “There is a lot to do. They have just moved halfway across the world and it’s been really busy getting the kids settled.

“Their focus has been on that, and will remain on that, for the time being. They are happy to be back.”

The remarks – the first real insight into the Sussexes’ thoughts on the move – comes in the midst of what is seen as growing tensions between the Sussex camp and the Royal Household.

A source close to Harry and Meghan has blamed a letter sent at the request of the King for Uganda’s decision to pull out of the the duke’s Invictus Games.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Bondi Beach during their trip to Australia in 2026
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Bondi Beach during their trip to Australia in 2026 (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Team Sussex, who were given around an hour’s notice of the release on Monday of the Lord Chamberlain’s letter, did not have time to clarify any of the points, with Harry and Meghan said to prefer the phrase “public figures” rather than “private citizens”.

Uganda’s military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba said the country had withdrawn from the sporting competition because of “that Harry-Meghan nonsense”,  and would “not participate in anything” that does not have the King’s “approval”.

A Sussex source told ITV News: “Intended or unintended, this is clearly a consequence of the Lord Chamberlain’s guidance regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that was rushed out without consultation on Monday.

“Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors.”

The Duke of Sussex takes part in a session of Pickleball during a visit to Birmingham in July as part of the One Year to Go celebrations for the Invictus Games
Harry takes part in a session of Pickleball during a visit to Birmingham in July as part of the One Year to Go celebrations for the Invictus Games (Aaron Chown/PA)

Meanwhile on Thursday, the Prince and Princess of Wales carried out a key visit to Liverpool, where William was launching a suicide prevention toolkit for the sports sector.

Kate made a surprise appearance at Everton Football Club with William to show support for the On Your Side campaign.

Harry and Meghan stepped away from the working monarchy six years ago for a new life of personal and financial freedom in the US.

Prince of Wales visit to Liverpool
The Prince and Princess of Wales sat on the Gary Speed memorial bench during a visit to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on Thursday (Shirlaine Forrest/PA)

A fortnight ago, they moved back, having enrolled Archie and Lili in new schools, with Meghan rumoured to be returning to acting again.

The Sussexes, who are waiting to see whether they will be given taxpayer-funded security, were said to be “surprised” by the formal letter to senior stakeholders in the Government and military, which classified them as “private citizens”.

A new YouGov poll has found that just 16% of Britons would like Harry and Meghan to return to being working members of the royal family, while 51% would rather they did not.

Some 33% do not know either way.

Harry and Meghan as working royals on the Palace balcony with the royal family for the Trooping the Colour celebrations
Harry and Meghan as working royals on the Palace balcony with the royal family (Yui Mok/PA)

In January 2020, the duke and duchess announced they intended to step back as “senior” members of the royal family, become financially independent, still support Elizabeth II, but split their time between the UK and North America.

The late Queen ruled at the Sandringham Summit, which was convened to resolve the Megxit crisis, that the couple could not be half in and half out – with the King asserting the agreement still stands.

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