Prince Harry is tipped to visit two unexpected relatives when he travels to the UK with his family next month. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their children Archie and Lilibet, will stay in a royal residence during their first family trip across the Atlantic in four years.
Harry's Plans for the Five-Day Visit
The Duke of Sussex, who lives in Montecito, California, will visit the UK from July 7 to 11 to kick off the countdown to next year’s Invictus Games in Birmingham. His engagements include a visit to Birmingham Children’s Hospital to mark the 20th anniversary of its WellChild Nurse role. Meghan is also expected to take part in her first UK engagement in six years with a hospital visit, though reports suggest their children will not join public events.
Potential Meetings with the Spencer Family
Daily Mail senior editor-at-large Richard Kay addressed suggestions that Harry wants to introduce his children to the "wider family." Speaking to Palace Confidential, Kay said: "Well, my guess is, and I have to stress it is only a guess, that it is... he's referring to the Spencer family, so his late mother's sisters and brother, whom he has continued to keep up with throughout the years of his exile in California." He added: "Harry's particularly close to his aunts, his maternal aunts, Jane and Sarah. And I suspect that is who he has in mind when he talks about the wider family."
Background on the Spencer Family
Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in 1997 at age 36, had two sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, and one brother, Charles Spencer. She also had an older brother, John Spencer, who died hours after his birth in 1960. Kay noted that the Spencers have acted as a bridge between the Royal Family and Harry, maintaining a good relationship with Prince William as well.
Security Concerns
Harry has previously rejected an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace due to security worries. He lost a legal battle last year to secure police protection when visiting Britain. He told the BBC: "I can't see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point and the things they're going to miss is, well, everything. You know I love my country, I always have done despite what some people in the country have done."
