King Charles has extended an invitation to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, along with their children Archie and Lilibet, to stay at one of his private residences if they visit the UK this summer as reportedly planned. However, according to a report in The Times, the couple have not yet responded to the King's offer, with the monarch "yet to receive a reply from his younger son."
Silence Amidst Ongoing Rift
The lack of response may be seen as further evidence of the "rude" manner in which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are perceived to interact with the Royal Family. This perception is not new; in Harry's memoir Spare, he recounted an incident where Meghan told Kate Middleton she must have "baby brain because of her hormones," which angered Prince William. William reportedly called Meghan "rude" to her face and "pointed a finger at her," saying, "These things are not done here."
Meghan, 44, has not visited the UK with Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, since 2022, meaning King Charles has not seen his grandchildren in person for four years. Harry is now hoping to bring his family to the UK in the coming weeks to mark the "one year to go" milestone ahead of the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Security Concerns Remain a Sticking Point
The Duke is seeking a revised ruling on taxpayer-funded security for his family, which he considers essential for them to safely visit his "homeland." However, as the trip would be a private visit, he would not be entitled to armed protection regardless. Following a defeat in the Court of Appeal last year regarding the reinstatement of his security, Harry told the BBC: "There is a lot of control and ability in my father's hands. Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him. Not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing the experts to do what is necessary." He added: "I can't see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point ... I miss the UK. Of course I do. And I think that it's really quite sad I won't be able to show my children my homeland."
Nevertheless, after his court setback, the Home Office agreed to put Harry forward for a fresh assessment, which will be submitted to Ravec, the executive committee for the protection of royalty and public figures, for a final determination on taxpayer-funded protection for the Sussexes.
King's Offer and Potential Accommodation
The Times reports that King Charles has offered to host the family at one of his private estates, which include the Sandringham property in Norfolk and Highgrove in Gloucestershire. It has previously been suggested that Harry would accept an invitation to Sandringham, though that may have changed now that his disgraced uncle, Prince Andrew, is also residing there.
The ongoing silence from Harry and Meghan underscores the deep rift within the Royal Family, with the couple's security concerns and past grievances continuing to strain relations.
