Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly planning a return to the United Kingdom in May 2024, potentially marking her first visit since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
This anticipated journey is set to coincide with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London, an event founded by Prince Harry to support and inspire wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans.
Speculation about the Duchess's return comes amidst previous statements suggesting she had no intentions of revisiting England. However, sources close to the couple have indicated that not only might Meghan accompany Prince Harry to the Invictus Games, but their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, may also join them for the visit.
The potential trip aims to demonstrate a united front and engage in bridge-building with the wider royal family, amidst ongoing discussions about the couple's relationship with the institution following their move to the United States.
An insider speaking to OK! Magazine highlighted Prince Harry's keenness for his family's participation, emphasizing the importance he places on presenting a united family presence.
"Harry is very keen for his entire family to join him. It’s important for him that they show a united front and focus on building bridges with the rest of the royal family," the source said. Despite Prince Harry's enthusiasm, there are suggestions that Meghan may have reservations due to the apprehension of facing an "anxiety-fuelled visit" where she might feel unwelcomed.
The Invictus Games, a cornerstone of Prince Harry's philanthropic efforts, was inspired by his own experiences and observations during his deployment in Afghanistan. Established in 2014, the Games have grown into a powerful movement that celebrates the resilience and determination of injured servicemen and women. The upcoming celebration of its tenth anniversary in London represents a significant milestone for the event and its community.
In addition to commemorating the achievements of the Invictus Games, Prince Harry is reportedly eager to use the occasion to foster closer relationships between his children and their British relatives, particularly in light of recent health concerns within the royal family.
"Harry would love for Archie and Lilibet to have a better relationship with their cousins or even the children of some of his friends," a source revealed. This sentiment underscores the Duke's desire for his children to maintain connections with their family's heritage and lineage.
The news of the potential visit follows Prince Harry's recent trip to the UK, where he visited King Charles after the monarch's unexpected cancer diagnosis. This marked one of the few instances Prince Harry returned to Britain since relocating abroad, with his previous visit being for King Charles' coronation in May 2023, which he attended without Meghan and their children.
As preparations for the Invictus Games anniversary event continue, the prospect of the Sussex family's participation highlights the ongoing narrative of their complex relationship with the British royal family. Their potential involvement in the Games could offer a moment of unity and reconciliation, reflecting the event's overarching message of overcoming adversity and building bridges within communities and families alike.
Meanwhile, despite his anticipated participation in the London event, there remains uncertainty regarding whether his wife, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will accompany him, Express UK. The Duchess has shown steadfast support for the Invictus Games, having recently joined Prince Harry in Canada this February to promote the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler.
The Telegraph reports that a specific issue concerning security provisions in the UK may deter the Duke from bringing his family along. According to sources, Prince Harry has been challenging a Home Office ruling from February 2020 by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which determined he would not automatically receive police protection while in the UK.
This decision, Harry's legal team argues, has unfairly "singled out" the Duke, affecting the personal security traditionally afforded to him and his family during their stays in Britain.
The contention stems from Ravec's resolution that Prince Harry would no longer benefit from the "same degree" of publicly-funded security, a stance Harry's representatives have labeled as "unlawful and unfair" due to a perceived lack of a comprehensive risk analysis.
"It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020. The UK is my home," Prince Harry expressed through a written statement, highlighting his and Meghan's reluctance to compromise their safety.
The UK Government, defending the Home Office's stance, maintains that Ravec possesses the authority to customize the Duke's protection on a "case-by-case" basis, even suggesting that circumstances could permit his reintegration into the security framework overseen by the committee.
In a recent verdict, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected Prince Harry's claims of being treated unfavorably by Ravec's decision, concluding that the committee's approach was justified. Despite this setback, Prince Harry has signaled his intention to appeal the ruling.
Prince Harry's connection to the UK remains strong, underscored by his quick visit in February to see King Charles amid the monarch's cancer diagnosis. This fleeting visit from Los Angeles to London, characterized by a brief 30-minute meeting with his father, emphasizes the Duke's ongoing commitment to his family amidst logistical and security challenges.
Looking forward, Prince Harry disclosed in a "Good Morning America" interview his plans for additional UK visits, reaffirming his love for his family and his desire to maintain close ties.
"I've got other trips planned that will take me through the UK, or back to the UK, and so I'll stop in and see my family as much as I can," he shared, indicating ongoing efforts to balance familial responsibilities with the complexities of his and Meghan's public roles.
