With King Charles III scheduled to undertake a significant state visit to the United States in April 2026, a compelling question is dominating royal commentary: will the monarch extend his journey to California to meet his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet?
A Historic Visit and a Personal Dilemma
The King and Queen Camilla are expected to travel to America in the Spring of 2026, with the trip timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. While Buckingham Palace has not yet issued an official confirmation, reliable sources in both London and Washington DC indicate that plans, including a potential White House engagement in late April, are being negotiated contingent on the King's health.
This diplomatic milestone has inevitably turned attention to the King's strained relationship with his younger son, Prince Harry, and his family, who reside in Montecito, California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties in 2020, and since then, Harry has made a series of public criticisms of the Royal Family through an interview with Oprah Winfrey, a Netflix documentary, and his memoir, Spare.
The Path to a Possible Reconciliation
Despite the public fractures, there have been glimpses of a thaw. In September of last year, King Charles and Prince Harry met privately for nearly an hour at Clarence House during Harry's UK visit. This encounter, their first in over 20 months, was reported to have been positive, fuelling hopes of a broader reconciliation.
Central to this possibility are the King's two grandchildren in America. Archie, aged 6, was born in the UK but moved to California as an infant. Lilibet was born in the United States. It is believed Charles met Lilibet for the first and only time during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the late Queen Elizabeth in 2022. A source described that meeting as "very emotional" and "very, very special" for the monarch.
According to reports, Harry has expressed a clear desire for his father to build a relationship with Archie and Lilibet. A source stated, "Harry has made it clear that he would love his dad to come and visit him and the family. He knows that they are strained, but he has mentioned several times a hope that his father can have a relationship with his grandchildren."
The 2026 Itinerary: Protocol Versus Family
The King's 2026 itinerary, once confirmed, will be a tightly scheduled programme of state diplomacy. A detour to the West Coast would represent a significant personal addition to the official agenda. Royal watchers are now deeply divided on whether the visit will or should happen.
Some argue that such a gesture is essential for family healing and would allow the King to know his American-based grandchildren. Others suggest the wounds from the past few years are too fresh, and that the focus of a state visit must remain firmly on diplomatic and ceremonial duties.
As the planning for this historic anniversary visit continues, all eyes will be on whether the King's journey across the Atlantic will also include a private journey towards mending family ties in California.
