The Sussexes may be preparing for a major change of scenery — but Australia could still have a place in their plans.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to return to the UK with their two children after six years living in California. Yet amid the couple’s latest move, speculation has emerged that their time in Britain may not necessarily be permanent, with Australia among the countries they could potentially consider in the future.

The possibility comes just months after Meghan made an unexpected return to Australia, stepping into the MasterChef Australia kitchen for a special guest appearance that offered viewers a different glimpse of the Duchess of Sussex.

For now, however, there is no confirmed plan for the Sussexes to relocate to Australia. The suggestion comes from royal sources discussing the family’s longer-term options.

A surprise Australian chapter

Harry and Meghan made their return to Australia in April 2026, marking their first visit to the country together since 2018.

During the four-day trip, Harry took part in engagements connected with mental health and his charitable work, including appearances in Melbourne and Canberra.

Meghan, meanwhile, had a very different commitment behind the scenes.

Her previously undisclosed appearance on MasterChef Australia was filmed in Melbourne during the visit and was later broadcast in July.

The Duchess joined judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli, challenging contestants to create a dish inspired by seasonal Australian ingredients and personal memories.

Meghan herself described her love of food — and her affection for Australia — as reasons she accepted the invitation.

The appearance quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the season, particularly because it allowed audiences to see Meghan outside the usual royal and celebrity settings.

Meghan’s MasterChef appearance struck a different chord

For the contestants, Meghan’s arrival was a genuine surprise.

She entered the kitchen to meet the remaining cooks and set a Mystery Box-style challenge, with the stakes including immunity and a place in the final stages of the competition.

The episode also gave Meghan an opportunity to speak about food in a deeply personal way, encouraging the contestants to connect their dishes with family memories and stories.

It was a softer, more familiar side of the Duchess — one that fitted naturally with her growing focus on cooking, entertaining and lifestyle projects.

And while her Australian television appearance was only temporary, it has added another intriguing layer to the Sussexes’ relationship with the country.

Could Australia become part of the family’s future?

According to a royal source quoted by The Times, Harry and Meghan’s upcoming return to Britain may be for an extended period rather than a definitive permanent relocation.

The source suggested the couple could spend six months, a year or potentially longer in the UK — while leaving open the possibility of eventually trying life elsewhere.

Australia was specifically mentioned alongside Canada as a country the Sussexes could potentially consider.

That does not mean the couple are preparing to move Down Under. No such decision has been announced by Harry or Meghan.

Instead, the comments point to a broader question surrounding the family: where do they ultimately want to put down roots?

The UK move is happening first

The immediate plan is much clearer.

Harry and Meghan are expected to relocate from California to Britain later this month, with Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, expected to begin attending school in the UK in September. The family is set to live in a private, non-royal residence outside London.

The couple have lived in California since 2020, following their decision to step back from their roles as senior working royals.

Their return does not mean they are resuming royal duties. They will remain private citizens and are expected to retain their California home.

The move does, however, bring Harry considerably closer to his homeland and to his family.

Recent reports have also described a renewed meeting between Harry and his father, King Charles, adding another emotional dimension to the Sussexes’ return to Britain.

Australia has already left an impression

For Meghan in particular, the 2026 visit offered a reminder of the connection she and Harry have built with Australia.

Their first major tour as a married couple in 2018 took them to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. It was during that tour that the couple also announced they were expecting Archie.

Eight years later, their return looked very different.

There was no official royal tour this time. Instead, the couple shaped their visit around causes, personal interests and carefully selected public appearances.

Meghan’s MasterChef Australia appearance was perhaps the clearest example.

And her comment about her “love of Australia” during the filming only added to the sense that the country remains a place she feels warmly towards.

For now, the family is still between chapters

The Sussexes therefore appear to be entering a period of transition.

Their California chapter is not necessarily ending altogether, while their British chapter is about to begin again. Australia and Canada have now entered the conversation as possible future destinations — but only as speculation, not confirmed plans.

For a family that has spent the past six years building a life far from the UK, the next few years could look very different.

And after Meghan’s unexpectedly well-received appearance in the MasterChef Australia kitchen, one question is likely to linger: could Australia one day become more than just a place the Sussexes visit?

For now, there is no answer — but the possibility has certainly been raised.