Archie and Lilibet, the children of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have not set foot in the UK for four years—a gap that underscores the deep rift between the couple and the Royal Family. Now, reports say the family of four is expected to travel to Britain in July 2026 for an event marking one year until the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. It will be the first time Prince Harry has brought his children to his country of birth since the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The trip would include Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, alongside their parents. According to sources, Harry feels “great sadness” over the disconnection with his home country and has long wished to reintroduce his children to British friends and family. Meghan last visited the UK for the Queen’s funeral in September 2022. The Invictus Games, founded by Harry in 2014, are a Paralympic-style competition for wounded veterans; next year’s event will be held in Birmingham.
“Prince Harry and Meghan plan to bring their children to the UK for the first time since 2022, highlighting security and family tensions.”
Background: The couple stepped back from frontline royal duties in 2020 and moved to California. Since then, Harry’s security arrangements in the UK have been a flashpoint. In 2020, his police protection was downgraded from full taxpayer-funded security to a “bespoke” arrangement. In May 2025, Harry lost a legal case to have that protection reinstated, saying it was not safe to bring his family because he could not guarantee their safety. A government spokesperson described the UK’s protective security system as “rigorous and proportionate.” The duke’s access to security was reported to be under review as of December 2025. Prince Harry has also spoken about a desire for “reconciliation” with the Royal Family. He met King Charles in September 2025 at Clarence House—their first face-to-face meeting since February 2024—which was seen as a tentative step toward rebuilding trust. However, it remains unclear whether the King will meet his grandchildren during the July visit. Charles has only seen Archie and Lilibet once before, during the 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
For UK readers, this visit matters because it tests the fragile state of relations between the Sussexes and the monarchy. The security question remains unresolved: if Harry cannot secure a satisfactory arrangement, future visits could be rare. The trip also highlights ongoing tensions over the couple’s status—they are still part of the royal family but operate independently. For the Invictus Games, Harry’s return to Birmingham for the countdown event reinforces his commitment to the charity, which enjoys strong public support in the UK.
Q: Why haven't Harry and Meghan's children visited the UK in four years? Prince Harry has said he cannot guarantee his family’s safety in the UK due to the downgrading of his security after he stepped back from royal duties. In May 2025, he lost a legal bid to have his police protection reinstated.
Q: Will King Charles meet Archie and Lilibet during this visit? It is not yet known. The King has only met his grandchildren once before, during the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, just months before the Queen died. Relations between the Sussexes and the Royal Family remain strained.
Q: What is the Invictus Games and why is it significant? The Invictus Games are an international sporting event for wounded, injured, or sick servicemen and women, founded by Prince Harry in 2014. The 2027 Games will be held in Birmingham; the July 2026 visit marks the one-year countdown.
What happens next: The family’s travel plans are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Key unknowns include whether King Charles will meet his grandchildren, what security arrangements will be in place, and whether the visit will lead to further reconciliation between Harry and the Royal Family.