A key clue in the official statement suggests Meghan Markle could still travel to the UK this week, despite pulling out of London engagements. Royal Editor Emily Ferguson reveals that the statement only referred to the London elements, leaving the door open for the Duchess to join Prince Harry in Birmingham for the Invictus Games countdown.
Statement Hints at Birmingham Visit
The statement issued over the weekend said Meghan would not be joining Harry in London, citing security concerns. However, it made no mention of Birmingham, where the couple is expected to mark the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games. A source close to the couple said, "No final decision has been made on whether the trio will join Harry in Birmingham later in the week."
Security Concerns and Royal Tensions
The Duchess had been due to carry out her first engagement in London in over six years, joining Harry at a London hospital. But the family decided it was not safe to visit the capital without armed security—a situation that has persisted since they stepped down as working royals six years ago. Security arrangements are still being looked into, but if Meghan were to attend any event, it would be to support the Invictus Games.
Potential Reunion with King Charles
The visit could also pave the way for a reunion between Harry and his father, King Charles, who continues to be treated for cancer. The King has not seen the Sussex grandchildren—Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, four—since Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. A source said, "He is keen to see the youngsters, but after the chaos of the last few days, a reunion is looking highly unlikely if the children aren’t there to act as a buffer."
Growing Distrust Between Teams
Harry last met his father in September, spending less than 45 minutes together at Clarence House. While the Duke is desperate to patch things up, there is growing distrust and unease about any meeting due to Team Sussex’s volatile nature. If the trip had been conducted quietly, a meeting would have been almost certain. But with increased press attention from chaotic briefings on security, accommodation, and who is coming, the King has no interest in being dragged into the latest Sussex soap opera.
