Confusion, frustration and celebration were among the top public reactions to reports that Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will leave the United States after six years and move back to the United Kingdom.
Duke and Duchess of Sussex will relocate in August before their two kids, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, start school there in September, People and The Telegraph reported Aug. 19. The couple will reportedly keep their homes in Montecito, California, and Portugal.
The reports have caused mixed reactions on social media with many users raising questions over why the pair would return to the U.K. following allegations of racism they made in their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. Some X users speculated about various theories explaining
the move, ranging from undisclosed health concerns surrounding King Charles II to career ambitions and financial woes, among other unfounded claims.
USA TODAY has reached out to Buckingham Palace and Harry and Meghan's representatives for comment.
Podcaster Katie Miller, former press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence and the wife of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, said Meghan "always just wanted to be a celebrity" on X. She also accused the couple of moving back to Britain because they dislike President Donald Trump.
Conservative political commentator Michael Knowles quipped on X writing: "My condolences to His Majesty King Charles" while broadcaster Piers Morgan mockingily wrote "I may have to emigrate to the U.S." "The View" alum Meghan McCain called the couple "entitled grifters" on X and said "Good luck to our friends in the UK, they’re your problem now."
Journalist and political commentator Sophia A. Nelson expressed disbelief over the decision and criticized the reasoning behind it on X writing "I just can't believe it. Meghan has built a wonderful Life. Here. In California. And Hollywood. Her family. Marriage. The UK is very hateful toward her and Harry. Why subject the kids to this? Her mental health?! Yikes!"
See online reactions to Harry and Meghan's UK move
They are moving back to Britain because they don’t like President Trump. https://t.co/kbERvFSZOV pic.twitter.com/Vp0MqjJSbM
— Katie Miller (@KatieMiller) August 19, 2026
I just can't believe it. Meghan has built a wonderful
— Sophia A. Nelson (@IAmSophiaNelson) August 19, 2026
Life. Here. In California. And Hollywood. Her family. Marriage. The UK is very hateful toward her and Harry. Why subject the kids to this? Her mental health?! Yikes! https://t.co/RErw7zpvn5
👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) August 19, 2026
My condolences to His Majesty King Charles... https://t.co/qsW6ORQIXf
I may have to emigrate to the U.S. https://t.co/HRKx7iLopr
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 19, 2026
this means they exhausted their six years of H-1B right https://t.co/zLHUvXAQkF
— ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@PranavDixit) August 19, 2026
Well, good luck to her and them kids bc… https://t.co/tEzR5WgA9F
— Ashley Reese (@offbeatorbit) August 19, 2026
another loss for hollywood as another california production company moves to london smh https://t.co/NXZM26w1MN
— ali (@alibrooke4ever) August 19, 2026
leaving year-round sunshine and a beach to come back where it rains 80% of the year oh I’d be livid if I were their kids 😭😭 https://t.co/bGbcOmEjfS
— p❤️🔥 (@mariskaskohl) August 19, 2026
Everybody broke omg https://t.co/ByQWWPXnL3
— Romeo S (Reloaded) 🇩🇴🥇 (@PaIIahAbdul) August 19, 2026
IM UPSET https://t.co/1gTWvDJ53n
— Emmy🦇 (@emmytargaryen) August 19, 2026
Harry and Meghan's reported move comes after their trip to the prince's home country of England in July, their first trip there together since Queen Elizabeth II's 2022 funeral.
As part of the vacation, King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed the couple and their kids at Buckingham Palace on July 10. The visit reunited Charles with Archie and Lilibet after years apart, according to BBC.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped away from their royal duties in 2020 in a move dubbed "Megxit," amid ongoing tensions with the royal family. Harry has vocalized security concerns concerns about bringing his family to Britain without the level of police protection he believes is warranted.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harry, Meghan UK move shocks social media: 'My condolences to His Majesty'
