A friend of Prince Harry has revealed that his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are 'beside themselves with excitement' at the prospect of visiting the UK next week. The Duke of Sussex is scheduled to return to the country to mark the one-year countdown of the Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Harry keen to bring children to see grandfather King Charles
Harry hoped to bring his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, but plans remain uncertain after his request for police protection was denied last week. However, the children's enthusiasm may persuade him to proceed. A friend told The Mail: 'The problem is that the children are just so excited about this visit. They were told already some time ago that they are coming and they are beside themselves with excitement.'
The friend added: 'They have been hopping up and down about coming here. They are really excited about the trip. They have been talking about it for months. Harry and Meghan have been telling them about the UK.'
Harry wants children to know their heritage
According to the friend, Harry is 'really keen' to bring the children so they can see their grandfather, King Charles, and connect with their heritage. 'Harry doesn't want to disappoint them. There's nothing from him to say either way at the moment for sure, but the feeling I get is that he will find a way to make it happen for them in a way that everyone is happy with. He will try to be the bigger person and bring them anyway.'
Strained relations but recent thaw
Relations between the Sussexes and the Royal Family have been strained since they stepped back from royal duties and moved to the US. Meghan claimed in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey that there were 'concerns and conversations' about Archie's skin colour from a senior royal, and she said she felt suicidal. Harry's autobiography Spare and their Netflix series further damaged ties. However, there has been a recent thaw, particularly between Harry and King Charles, who met for 45 minutes in 2024 after the cancer diagnoses of Charles and Kate Middleton.
Meghan has not been in the UK for four years. The Invictus Games countdown event could mark a significant family reunion if Harry decides to bring the children.
