Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to return to the United Kingdom with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in July, marking the children's first visit to Britain in four years and Meghan's first trip to the country since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022. The planned visit, which is expected to coincide with an Invictus Games event in Birmingham, has renewed speculation about whether the Sussexes could meet King Charles III during their stay.
Neither Buckingham Palace nor the Sussexes has confirmed any private family meetings, but the visit would create the first opportunity in years for Archie and Lilibet to spend time with their grandfather. Lilibet is believed to have met King Charles only once, during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
The trip also comes after years of strained relations between Prince Harry and the Royal Family. Since stepping back as senior working royals in 2020 and relocating to California, Harry has returned to Britain several times for legal proceedings and family events, while Meghan has remained in the United States.
Royal biographer Tom Bower offered a sharply different interpretation of the visit during a recent podcast interview, arguing that the Sussexes are attempting to rebuild their standing with the monarchy. Bower claimed, "They've run out of ideas, and their finances are basically in jeopardy," while also accusing Meghan of seeking renewed "fame," recognition and financial opportunities through closer ties with the Royal Family.
Bower further argued that Harry's motivations differ from Meghan's, suggesting the Duke remains emotionally attached to Britain despite building a new life in California. "I think, for Harry, it's worse because Harry is isolated in California. He misses his roots, he misses England, and somehow wants to worm his way back into the affections not only of his own family, but of the British people," he said.
The biographer also used unusually strong language to describe the couple's reported approach toward King Charles, stating, "We're seeing them effectively crawl on bended knees back to Britain, and they are to be pathetically grateful if the king agrees." Those remarks represent Bower's personal assessment and have not been endorsed by Buckingham Palace or the Sussexes.
Harry has publicly expressed a desire to repair family relationships. During a BBC interview last year, he said, "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point continuing to fight anymore, life is precious." In the same interview, however, he also acknowledged his security concerns, saying, "I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point."
The reported July visit suggests that position may have evolved, although details surrounding security arrangements and the family's schedule remain undisclosed. The appearance is expected to center on the Invictus Games, the international sporting competition for wounded and injured service personnel founded by Prince Harry in 2014, while any meetings with King Charles or other senior royals remain unconfirmed.
