The Duchess of Sussex will not appear at any of the public events this week during the Duke of Sussex's visit to the UK, it has been confirmed. But speculation is mounting that she and their children, Archie and Lilibet, may still join him for private visits – potentially including a long-awaited reunion with King Charles.
Meghan originally pulled out of the trip after a row over security. The couple had their armed police protection withdrawn when they stepped back as senior working royals in 2020, and a request for police protection during this visit was refused. A source told the Guardian that Harry was "distraught" and did not want his children to be "chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane."
“Meghan will not attend public events during Harry’s UK visit, but she and the children may still join him privately.”
Harry arrived in London on Monday without his family. The visit, intended to promote the Invictus Games in Birmingham next year, was quickly overshadowed by his loss in a High Court case against Associated Newspapers on Tuesday. A subsequent London event was closed to the press. But the trip appeared to get back on track on Thursday when Harry received a warm welcome at Birmingham Children's Hospital, hugging a medic and telling staff: "Thank you for everything you do."
King Charles is reportedly keen to arrange a meeting with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. The children last saw the King at Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022, and Meghan has not been in the UK since the Queen's funeral that September. A royal source told the Mirror: "While nothing has been ruled out, conversations remain ongoing." The King has instructed aides to find a suitable slot in his diary. However, sources claim Meghan is unhappy with how the palace has handled her husband during the visit and has no desire to meet with them.
It is believed Harry is keen to take Archie and Lilibet to visit Diana's grave at Althorp for the first time. Meghan, Archie and Lilibet have been in an undisclosed location in Europe this week. Whether they will cross the Channel remains uncertain – but the possibility of a private family reunion lingers.