As preparations begin for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, uncertainty is growing over whether Meghan Markle will set foot in the United Kingdom for the first time in nearly four years. According to people familiar with the discussions, the Duchess of Sussex's participation is contingent on security arrangements so extensive that some involved have privately described them as "fortress-level."
The Games, founded by her husband Prince Harry, are scheduled to bring wounded and injured service members from around the world to Britain. Yet behind the scenes, Markle's potential return has become entangled in the unresolved dispute over Harry's police protection in the UK, an issue he has unsuccessfully challenged through the courts.
Sources close to the negotiations say Markle's position is unequivocal: she will not travel unless her husband secures upgraded, taxpayer-funded protection. A fresh security review is under way, but a final determination is not expected until 2026, leaving planners for the Birmingham Games without clarity.
People briefed on the talks said Markle's representatives have outlined demands that go well beyond standard VIP arrangements. One source said the duchess has requested that four entire floors of a luxury hotel be reserved exclusively for her use, with restricted staff access and tightly controlled movement throughout the property.
Transportation has also been a central issue. Markle is said to be seeking round-the-clock drivers, a convoy of vehicles, and a full police escort from arrival through departure. At official Invictus venues, the security plan discussed includes armed protection and physical barriers, measures one person involved summarized as "a fortress."
Beyond security, the proposed arrangements extend to a large personal entourage. According to individuals familiar with the plans, Markle would travel with her own chef, hair and makeup team, a personal assistant and multiple public-relations staff, with several hotel rooms reserved solely for that purpose.
The scale of the requests has drawn quiet scrutiny from some observers, given the Invictus Games' stated mission of focusing attention on veterans' recovery and rehabilitation. While Harry has remained closely associated with the Games since their founding, Markle's role has varied, and her attendance is not required for the event to proceed.
Complicating matters further is Markle's reported insistence on formal address using her royal title in all interactions during the visit. The couple stepped back from working royal duties in 2020, a move framed at the time as a bid for independence from institutional constraints, including rigid protocol.
The last time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared together in the UK was in September 2022, when they attended the WellChild Awards and remained in Britain following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, both have lived full-time in California, with Harry making solo trips tied largely to legal proceedings.
Responsibility for any security decision rests with Royal and VIP Executive Committee, which evaluates threats and allocates protection for high-profile figures. Until that process concludes, Markle's return remains uncertain.
