The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to bring Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the United Kingdom next month, marking their first visit in four years. According to reports, Harry and Meghan will travel from California with their children to attend celebrations for the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Family Reunion on the Horizon
Archie, aged seven, and Lilibet, aged five, last saw their grandfather, King Charles, in person during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Harry had previously expressed his desire to bring his children from the United States but cited security concerns amid his legal battle over UK security arrangements. However, the duke has reportedly received assurances that adequate security will be provided for this trip.
Potential Meeting with the King
It remains uncertain whether King Charles will meet his youngest grandchildren during their stay. This visit follows Harry's reunion with Charles last September, their first meeting in 19 months, as the King continues treatment for cancer.
Background of Tensions
When Harry lost a Court of Appeal challenge against the Home Office over his security arrangements in 2025, he gave a BBC interview expressing hopes for family reconciliation. He revealed that Charles would not speak to him due to the security court battle and added, "I can't see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK."
Accusations and Estrangement
Since stepping down from the working monarchy in 2020, Harry has made various accusations against the King, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton in his Oprah interview, Netflix documentary, interviews, and autobiography Spare. He claimed Charles was jealous of Meghan and Kate, did not hug him when informed of Princess Diana's death, and said the King was "never made" for single parenthood. Charles, according to Harry, pleaded with his sons after Prince Philip's funeral: "Please, boys. Don't make my final years a misery."
Harry remains estranged from his brother, William, whom he alleged physically attacked him and pushed him into a dog bowl in his memoir.
Invictus Games Countdown
The Invictus Games, a sporting competition for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, will be held in Birmingham from July 10 to 17 next year. The duke's spokesperson has yet to comment on the visit.
