Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to bring their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, to the UK next month for the first time in four years. The visit will mark one year to the start of the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, the event Harry founded in 2014.
The trip will be Meghan’s first to England since the late Queen’s funeral in 2022. For Harry, it is a long-held desire to show his children his homeland — but security has been a persistent obstacle. In May, he lost a legal case to have his police protection reinstated after it was downgraded when he stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
“Harry and Meghan to bring Archie and Lilibet to UK in July for Invictus event, first family visit in four years.”
Speaking to the BBC after the ruling, Harry said it was not safe to bring his family back because he could not guarantee their safety. A government spokesperson said on Wednesday: “The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”
An insider told News.com.au: “It’s been a real point of great sadness – for Harry especially – that he’s been unable to bring his wife and kids back to the UK safely to reconnect with friends and family, but anyone would understand his desire to put their safety first.” The source added: “He would love to introduce the children to his wider family, to show them the UK, where he grew up – his homeland.”
It is not yet known whether King Charles will meet his grandchildren on this visit. The King has only met Archie and Lilibet once before, during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Harry last saw his father in September last year when he travelled to London for the annual WellChild Awards and had a 50-minute private tea at Clarence House — their first face-to-face meeting since February 2024. That meeting was seen as a first step in improving relations after a deep family rift.
The duke’s spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. The Mirror has also contacted Invictus Games representatives and Buckingham Palace.