Prince Harry is set to attend a one-year-to-go celebration for the Invictus Games in Birmingham on Friday, but his wife Meghan Markle will not join him. The Duchess of Sussex and the couple's children, Archie and Lilibet, are understood to be in the UK but will only participate in private family events, away from the cameras, due to security concerns after being refused police protection.
Security Dispute Overshadows Visit
The decision for Meghan to avoid public engagements stems from an ongoing dispute over security arrangements. Harry has faced a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over the level of protection for his family when in the UK, which changed after he stepped down as a working royal in 2020. Last year, the duke lost a Court of Appeal challenge against the Home Office. In a BBC interview, he said he could not see a world in which he would bring his wife and children back to the UK due to security issues.
The family is believed to be staying at the Spencer family home of Althorp. Their presence in the UK could pave the way for King Charles to have an emotional reunion with his grandchildren, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, whom he has not seen since 2022. The Mirror exclusively reported that the King, 77, has instructed senior aides to engage in talks with the Sussexes to secure time in his diary, likely on Friday or Saturday in London. The Sussexes are understood to be returning to California on Sunday.
Harry's Invictus Engagement
Later this morning, Harry will be at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC), the primary venue for the 2027 Invictus Games. He will watch and take part in a series of exhibition events alongside competitors from previous Games. Birmingham will welcome more than 550 wounded, injured, and sick service personnel, veterans, and their families from 26 nations, competing in 12 adaptive sports.
Harry's week in the UK has been busy. On Thursday, he visited Birmingham Children's Hospital to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the WellChild Nurse programme. Speaking to charity leaders, nursing staff, and families, he acknowledged the mounting challenges facing the NHS, saying, "I understand, and we understand, that becomes harder every week with cuts and financial difficulties... just the insanity that seems to be circulating, not just in this country but in general." He added, "I don't know if you hear it enough, the difference that you make every single day is quite literally changing daily lives."
During the visit, Harry revealed that his son Archie is "obsessed with Lego" and called him a "master builder." He also spoke with 12-year-old patient Wyatt Makwana about the upcoming World Cup match, with Harry joking, "Let's hope you're wrong" when Wyatt predicted England would not get past the semi-finals if they beat Norway.
Meghan's History with Invictus
While Meghan will not attend today's event, she has supported the Invictus Games in previous years. She attended events at the 2025 Games in Vancouver, the 2024 One Year to Go event, the 2023 Games in Dusseldorf, the 2020 Games in The Hague, and the 2018 Games in Australia. She and Harry were first seen holding hands at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto.
William's Separate Engagements
Meanwhile, Prince William carried out engagements in Hastings on Thursday, appearing "unbothered" by Harry's presence in the UK. He played mini golf at Hastings Adventure Golf, joking about his prior experience with his family: "We've played a few times. The children love it." He also became an honorary member of The Winkle Club, receiving a silver winkle and quipping, "I will take good care of my winkle."
William also spoke about England's chances in the World Cup quarter-final against Norway, saying he was "confident." The Prince of Wales paid tribute to the late singer Bonnie Tyler, who died at 75, writing, "A proud Welsh icon, her extraordinary voice and unforgettable music touched millions."
King Charles at London Zoo
King Charles and Queen Camilla visited London Zoo on Thursday, where they fed a Galapagos tortoise named Polly a "watermelon cake" to celebrate the zoo's bicentenary. The King also painted snails with purple UV "snail polish" for tracking, joking, "I've done many things before, but I don't think I have ever done this!"
The King's hopeful reunion with his grandchildren remains a key focus, with royal sources indicating he would not want to pass up the opportunity to see Archie and Lilibet.
