Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to still be facing a “strict royal test” after their reunion with King Charles earlier this month. Just three days after Harry arrived in the UK, Meghan joined him with their children, seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet. Joined by Archie and Lilibet, the couple then reunited with the King and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House on July 10. No details or pictures have been shared from that meeting, other than that it lasted around an hour.
Expert weighs in on reconciliation
Speaking to the Mirror, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said the couple are unlikely to join the royals at Balmoral next month, with the family still waiting to see if privacy from the latest reunion “will be honoured.” Ms Bond told the publication: “I think it’s still a question of baby steps as far as the reconciliation between the King and the Sussexes goes. Everyone is still waiting to see whether the privacy of the recent reunion at Highgrove will be honoured. So far, so good – no leaked details, no rumours of any photos being made public. And it needs to remain that way.”
Balmoral invitation uncertain
“But I certainly can’t see Harry and Meghan being invited to Balmoral when William and his family are there,” Ms Bond added. “Other family members would clearly have to be asked if they wanted to be there at the same time. The castle is almost a sacred place for the Royal Family. It is where the late Queen was happiest and where she died. It is the place where the family feels truly off-duty and relaxed. They can put their guard down, and they would have to feel that was still the case if Harry and Meghan were there.”
Due to being raised in the US, Archie and Lilibet have never spent time with their relatives at the Balmoral estate. Their recent trip to the UK was their first since 2022. Harry and Meghan have not spoken out about the reunion.
