Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Begin New School Year in the U.K. as Harry and Meghan Are ‘Happy to Be Back’ (Exclusive)

Simon PerryThu, September 10, 2026 at 3:02 PM UTC

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Princess Lilibet, Prince Harry and Prince ArchieCredit: Meghan/Instagram -

Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, have started school in the U.K.

A source close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tells PEOPLE that settling their children “has been, and remains, their focus”

The milestone marks the first time either Archie or Lilibet has attended school in Britain following the Sussex family’s move back to the U.K.

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have started a new chapter in Britain — in the classroom.

The children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — 7-year-old Archie and 5-year-old Lilibet — are beginning the new school year in the U.K. after their family’s move back to Harry’s home country. The children were due to begin school in Britain in September, though details surrounding the family’s new home and their school are being kept private.

For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the early days of their return have centered firmly on family.

Settling the children “has been, and remains, their focus. Everything else will fall into place when the time is right,” a source close to Harry and Meghan tells PEOPLE.

“There is a lot to do. They have just moved halfway across the world, and it’s been really busy getting the kids settled,” the source adds. “Their focus has been on that, and will remain on that, for the time being. They are happy to be back.”

Like millions of children across Britain, Archie and Lilibet are beginning a new school year this month — and they aren’t the only royal family members marking a major educational milestone. Their cousin Prince George, 13, arrived at Eton College with Prince William and Kate Middleton on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The move to the prestigious boarding school marks the first time George has left home for school, while Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8, remain at Lambrook School.

Prince George arrives for his first day at Eton College alongside Kate Middleton and Prince William on Sept. 8, 2026Credit: Adrian DENNIS / POOL / AFP via Getty

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have established a non-royal home base in the U.K. for an extended period, while retaining their Montecito, Calif., residence. The move marks the first time Archie and Lilibet will attend school in Britain. Archie was born in the U.K. in 2019 but moved with his parents to California the following year, while Lilibet was born in California in 2021.

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The family had begun reconnecting with Harry’s home country before the move. Over the summer, they returned to Britain for a visit that included a reunion with King Charles — the first time the monarch had seen Archie and Lilibet in four years.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie at their former Windsor home in 2022Credit: Netflix/YouTube

The children’s schooling also played a role in the decision to relocate. A source close to Harry previously told PEOPLE that returning to Britain was something he had been “thinking about for a while,” while another source says the Duke wants his children “to understand the world he grew up in and where their family comes from.”

Prince Harry at Tower Bridge Studios in London on Sept. 7, 2026Credit: Tower Bridge Studios/Instagram

And as Archie and Lilibet settle into school, Harry has begun stepping out for work. The Duke was spotted at a U.K. film and television studio on Sept. 7, in what marked his first public sighting since the family’s return.

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For Meghan, part of the appeal is what Britain can offer the children. “Meghan feels very fortunate that they’re able to give Archie and Lilibet the opportunity to experience both worlds,” a Montecito insider told PEOPLE.

Last year, Meghan shared some tips for easing the transition of going back to school after summer break with PEOPLE, from surprising children with a handwritten note to asking kids about their “rose” and “thorn” over dinner.

She suggested, “Nestle a sweet something (not suggesting candy) into their backpack on the first Friday back to school. The first week can have a lot of big feelings, and a little nod to let them know you see them is so special. Try a tiny pack of stickers, a funny photo of your family, or an unexpected surprise like something you used to find in a Cracker Jack box.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”