Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to meet King Charles during their upcoming visit to the UK next month, royal sources have confirmed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accompanied by their children Archie and Lilibet, will travel to Britain in the first week of July for a one-year countdown event for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham on Friday, July 10.
The couple have been offered accommodation at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to align with their schedule, though they have yet to accept the invitation. This marks the family's first visit to the UK together in four years. Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, last saw their grandfather, the King, during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
Security arrangements have been a key concern for Harry, who has been engaged in a legal battle with the British government over his taxpayer-funded security after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Following losses in the High Court and Court of Appeal, Harry wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood requesting a review. The King is not involved in funding Harry's security, contrary to some reports. However, the Duke and Duchess have been assured that adequate security provision will be in place for their trip.
A royal source indicated that a meeting with the King would represent a significant thaw in relations, stating, 'Despite everything, the King loves his son and daughter-in-law dearly and would relish the chance to see his grandchildren.' It is understood that the King is likely to meet the family if a request is made by the Sussexes.
In contrast, relations between Harry and Meghan and the Prince and Princess of Wales remain strained, with sources describing them as 'rock bottom.' The couple are unlikely to meet William and Kate, as they remain hurt by comments made by Harry and Meghan since leaving royal duties, including allegations of racism in a 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview and criticisms in Harry's memoir, Spare.
