Prince Harry felt “buoyed, very happy and really energised” after his meeting with King Charles, according to sources close to the Duke of Sussex. The meeting took place last week during Harry's five-day trip to the UK to mark the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Highgrove House Meeting
Friday's meeting at Highgrove House was the first time in four years that King Charles saw his American grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, was also present, as was Queen Camilla. The gathering was kept under wraps until after it took place, when Buckingham Palace confirmed it without giving further details. Both sides have remained tight-lipped about the “private family occasion”.
Harry's Mood and Family Return
According to The Times, friends of the duke said that on Saturday morning, Harry was “buoyed, very happy and really energised”. However, they added that his family’s return to Britain was “not how he wanted it”. The Sussexes' return came amid a chaotic back and forth between statements and tweaked plans due to security concerns in the UK.
Harry was originally meant to travel to London with his family, but these plans were scrapped at the eleventh hour. Meghan was also expected to join her husband at events in Birmingham, but she pulled out at the last minute.
Invictus Games Focus
Reports indicate that some Invictus Games organisers “welcomed” the last-minute change, saying it kept the spotlight on the veterans. A source told journalist Rob Shuter on his Substack: “There was a real sense of relief backstage. When Harry comes alone, the focus stays exactly where he wants it—on the veterans, not on the media frenzy that can surround a royal couple. Everyone could relax and let the event shine.”
Another source dubbed the Duke “low-maintenance” and praised him for being easy to work with. They said: “He’s incredibly low-maintenance. He’ll happily change plans, stay longer with athletes, and go wherever he’s needed. The whole atmosphere feels lighter when it’s just Harry.”
However, they claimed that it’s a different approach when his wife is involved. They said: “Her visits usually involve extra security meetings, tighter schedules, and constant last-minute adjustments. With Harry on his own, everything is refreshingly straightforward. The team can focus on delivering a great event instead of managing endless logistics and drama.”
