The Duke of Sussex fears his children will not meet King Charles after the UK government declined his request for police protection, leaving their planned visit "pulled out from under their feet at the 11th hour," a source close to Harry said.
Prince Harry and Meghan were planning their first family trip to Britain in four years for events related to the Invictus Games, scheduled for July in Birmingham. The duke was reportedly excited for Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, to be reunited with King Charles during the visit early next month.
However, the trip now appears uncertain. A source said Harry was "distraught" and would not subject his children to being "chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane." The source added: "Their plans to see family, friends and visit various charitable causes close to the duke’s heart have been pulled out from under their feet at the 11th hour."
Harry is exploring other options but fears the visit cannot proceed without proper security. The visit would have been the first time Charles saw his youngest grandchildren since the late Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee in 2022.
Last year, Harry lost a legal battle against the Home Office over automatic police protection. He had been awaiting a final decision from the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), which declined his request. A government spokesperson said the protective security system is "rigorous and proportionate" and declined to provide further details.
