Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to meet King Charles when they return to the UK next month, royal sources have confirmed. The Duke of Sussex is due to travel to Britain in the first week of July to attend a one-year countdown event for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham on Friday, July 10. The couple, along with their children Archie and Lilibet, will be visiting the UK together for the first time in four years.
The Sussexes have been offered accommodation at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to align with their schedule, though they have yet to accept the invitation. It is understood that adequate security provisions have been assured for the trip, following Harry's protracted legal battle over his UK security. The Duke has expressed concerns about bringing his family to the UK due to safety issues, but the Metropolitan Police has indicated that visits are treated on a case-by-case basis.
A royal source said: 'Any meeting between Harry and Meghan and the King would represent a huge thawing of relations. Despite everything that has occurred in recent years, the King loves his son and daughter-in-law dearly and would relish the chance to see his grandchildren.' Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, last saw their grandfather at the time of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
However, Harry and Meghan are unlikely to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales, as relations remain at 'rock bottom' between the couples. A palace insider noted that William and Kate are 'deeply hurt' by comments made by Harry and Meghan since leaving royal duties, including accusations of racism and criticism in Harry's memoir, Spare.
Contrary to reports, the King is not involved in arranging Harry's security and has not offered to pay for it. The Duke personally wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to request a review of the situation after losing court cases over the decision to strip him of taxpayer-funded security.
