When Prince Harry steps off the plane in London this week, the question on every royal watcher's mind won't be what charity events he's attending, but whether he'll finally sit down with his brother and father. The Duke of Sussex is making a five-day trip to the UK to prepare for the Invictus Games in Birmingham next year, but as usual, the personal drama threatens to overshadow the cause.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, Archie (seven) and Lilibet (five), will not be joining him in London. A detailed plan had initially included Meghan, but due to security concerns she and the children will not be at the start of the trip. It's possible they may join later in the week elsewhere in the UK, but as of now, no decision has been made. This will be the first time all four have been together in the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
“Prince Harry's UK visit explained: security row, family tensions, and what's next for the Sussexes.”
The core of the tension is security. Harry lost a legal battle with the UK government last year over his request for taxpayer-funded police protection. After he stepped down as a working royal and moved to the US in 2020, his security was downgraded—a decision the government defends as “rigorous and proportionate.” Harry has always been intensely sensitive about his family's safety, and without the same level of protection, he feels unable to bring Meghan and the children to London. A source close to the family said: “The hope is they can meet their grandfather [King Charles]. But there is no way that can happen if they are chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane.” Palace sources stress the King is not involved in security decisions.
This visit is part of a longer saga that began in 2020 when Harry and Meghan quit royal duties and moved to California. Since then, the relationship with the rest of the royals has been strained by interviews, a memoir, and a Netflix series. Harry has spoken openly about his desire for reconciliation, but every visit seems to bring more “will they or won’t they” speculation. The timing also overlaps with the expected ruling in Harry's court case against Associated Newspapers over unlawful information gathering—though Meghan will not be in the UK when that judgment is published.
For UK readers, the royal rift is more than just a soap opera. It raises practical questions about how the family that is partly funded by taxpayers handles security for non-working royals. It also affects the public's perception of the monarchy, especially as King Charles tries to modernise the institution. And Harry's continued work for the Invictus Games—a Paralympic-style competition for injured military veterans—reminds people of the good he can do when the drama is set aside.
Q: Why did Prince Harry lose his taxpayer-funded police protection? After Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and moved to the US in 2020, the UK government reviewed his security. The level of protection offered was downgraded, and Harry lost a legal challenge against that decision last year. The government says its security system is “rigorous and proportionate” and does not comment on individual arrangements.
Q: Will Prince Harry and Meghan ever reconcile with the royal family? It's unclear. Harry has said he wants to see his family, and the King is reportedly open to meeting his grandchildren. But trust issues remain, and security concerns have repeatedly prevented visits. A source said the children haven't seen King Charles in four years, and a meeting can't happen if the family is chased by paparazzi.
Q: What is the Invictus Games and why is Harry involved? The Invictus Games are an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel and veterans. Prince Harry founded them in 2014 and remains a passionate supporter. The 2027 games will be held in Birmingham, and Harry's current trip is partly to prepare for the one-year countdown.
What happens next is as uncertain as ever. Harry's court case ruling could drop during his visit. Then there's the question of whether Meghan and the children will appear at all in the UK later in the week. For now, the Duke will focus on his “second family” of Invictus veterans, while the rest of us watch for any sign of a bridge being built.