Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are reportedly searching for a new home in the UK as they begin their next chapter across the pond with their two children.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex flew into Britain on a private jet with Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, on August 26. The family left behind their California life after spending their finals days in Montecito with close friends and family.

The couple had called Montecito home since 2020 after they purchased their California mansion for $14.65 million (AUD $20.5 million) and decided to build a private life there following their shock exit from the royal family.

Now, Meghan is reportedly hoping to secure a UK property that offers many of the same luxuries, according to News24.

The 45-year-old is said to want a nine-bedroom home. That would match the number of bedrooms in the Sussex’s California property.

She is also reportedly looking for an abode that boasts a film studio, which lines up with reports suggesting Meghan is considering a return to acting after she stepped away from the profession when her royal role took centre stage.

But Harry is said to have different priorities for the family’s new home upon their return to the UK.

Privacy is reportedly at the top of his list, with Harry looking for “a lot, and I mean a lot, of land, and no footpaths going across it to protect their privacy,” according to a source cited by DailyMail.

It is understood the family are staying at a friend’s Cotswold mansion while they continue house hunting with a “gargantuan budget” to find a more permanent base.

According to People, the Sussex’s spent their final moments in the US with friends and family, including Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, before jetting to the UK.

“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,” a source told the outlet.

“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 that although the family’s move back to the UK was a well-considered plan, it was tough saying goodbye to their life on the west coast.

“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,” they said.

“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.

A return to royal duties will not be on the cards for the couple, with King Charles indicating the couple will maintain their private lives to continue pursuing charity work and independent careers.

Meghan and Prince Harry are understood to have enrolled Archie and Lilibet into a British school which the details of remain private.