The Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be poised for a significant return to British shores in the coming months, following reports that Prince Harry is set to win back his automatic UK police protection. This development, the result of a lengthy legal battle, is thought to be the key that unlocks the door for Harry to bring his wife, Meghan, and their two children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, back to the UK for visits.
A Security Verdict That Changes Everything
The Sussexes are awaiting a final verdict on their plea for state-funded, armed protection while in Britain, having argued it is essential for their safety. Sources suggest Prince Harry is confident of a triumph, a result that insiders claim "would change everything" regarding the couple's relationship with the UK. The last time Meghan was in the country was for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, while the children have remained in the US since the family's move in 2020.
This potential return would be warmly welcomed by King Charles III. Despite his ongoing cancer treatment, the monarch has met his granddaughter Lilibet only once, and has not seen grandson Archie since 2022. Sources close to the Sussexes believe Meghan would meet with the King alongside Harry if they travel.
Navigating Family Rifts and Public Scrutiny
Any visit would unfold against a backdrop of well-documented family estrangement. Prince William and Harry are said to have had no contact, with experts stating William and the Princess of Wales have no desire to reconcile following Harry's memoir, Spare, and the couple's Netflix documentary. In a move labelled as "strategic timing," Prince William has recently hired crisis management expert Liza Ravenscroft.
The dynamic could become particularly delicate if the couples' children were to meet. The Times columnist Shane Watson speculated about the potential for tension at a cousin playdate, noting George, Charlotte and Louis would be unlikely to recognise Archie and Lilibet. Watson humorously suggested concerns over differing meal choices or an "origins incident," while also predicting Meghan might replicate Kate's style with "appropriate Kate nudging stuff in the day."
The Logistics of a Landmark Visit
A likely catalyst for Meghan's return is the upcoming Invictus Games event in Birmingham this summer, marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 games. Harry will almost certainly attend, and Meghan has joined him at similar pre-event ceremonies in Canada and Germany. Her presence could also provide a boost for her American Riviera Orchard brand, which has reportedly sold close to £27 million worth of its strawberry jam in the US.
The issue of security funding remains a point of public debate. Veteran journalist Sarah Vine argued taxpayers should only foot the bill for Meghan's protection if she is accompanying the children to see their British family, stating "the fact that he and Lilibet have not yet met their cousins is plain wrong." Otherwise, she contended, Meghan should pay for her own security like any other celebrity.
While Prince Harry briefly met King Charles at Clarence House in September 2025, a full family visit would mark a major moment. The coming months will reveal whether regained security protection truly does pave the way for a new chapter in the Sussexes' complex relationship with the UK.
