Sky News halted its evening programme on Friday, July 10, 2026, to deliver a major royal update: the King and Queen had hosted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. Presenter Manish Bhasin interrupted the broadcast to announce the news, which came amid uncertainty over whether Meghan and the children would join Harry on his UK visit.
Royal Reunion at Highgrove
According to Sky News, the visit marked the first time Prince Harry had seen his father in over two and a half years. Before this meeting, the Duke of Sussex had only met with the King once since stepping back from royal duties. The location, Highgrove House, is the private residence of the King and Queen in Gloucestershire.
Bhasin stated: "Here's some other breaking news now. It's understood the King and Queen have hosted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet at Highgrove House today. Before today, the Duke of Sussex had only seen his father once in the last two-and-a-half years."
Uncertainty Over Children's Visit
Prior to the announcement, there had been speculation about whether Meghan Markle and the children would accompany Prince Harry on his trip to the UK. The confirmation that the entire family was present at Highgrove came as a surprise to royal watchers. The couple's children, Archie and Lilibet, had not been seen in the UK for several years.
Sky News described the event as a "major royal update," and the broadcaster promised further updates as the story developed. The Express.co.uk Showbiz team also stated they would be updating the story with the latest information.
Context of the Royal Rift
This meeting follows a period of strained relations between the Sussexes and the royal family. Prince Harry's last public meeting with his father was reported to be at the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022. Since then, the Duke has made several solo visits to the UK for legal and charitable engagements, but Meghan and the children had not accompanied him.
The King and Queen's decision to host the family at Highgrove suggests a potential thaw in relations. Highgrove House has been a private retreat for the King for decades, and the choice of venue underscores the personal nature of the visit.
Sky News interrupted its regular programming to bring viewers this update, highlighting the significance of the event. The broadcaster has not yet released further details about the duration of the visit or any discussions that took place.
