In a surprise turn of events, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire on July 10, 2026, according to sources. The unexpected reunion comes amid ongoing speculation about the strained relationship between Harry and his father and brother, Prince William.
Background of the Visit
Harry has been in the UK to mark the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games, scheduled to take place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. Meghan reportedly joined him with their two children. The reunion is particularly surprising given recent reports that Meghan would not accompany Harry on this trip. It has been four years since Archie and Lilibet last saw their grandfather, King Charles, during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee weekend in 2022.
Security Concerns and Family Strain
Before the reunion, a source stated: 'The hope is they can meet their grandfather. But there is no way that can happen if they are chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane.' Harry and Meghan have been without taxpayer-funded police protection since stepping down as senior royals in 2020. Harry lost a legal challenge in May 2025 to have this protection reinstated when visiting the UK. In a BBC interview after the ruling, Harry said it wasn't safe to bring his family back to the country because he could not guarantee their safety. The Duke of Sussex currently pays for a private security team, which he says lacks proper jurisdiction to protect his family in Great Britain. The insider added that the 'situation is said to be causing strain between the couple.'
Attempts at Reconciliation
In mid-May 2026, insiders revealed that Harry wanted to make amends with his family and spend time at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, a royal retreat since 1852, allowing his children to build memories with their grandfather. However, Meghan reportedly preferred the idea of relaxing at their recently completed villa in Portugal. The reunion at Highgrove represents a significant step toward reconciliation, though the family's future interactions remain uncertain.
