King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, at Highgrove House on Friday
in what Buckingham Palace described as a "private family occasion." The meeting marked the first time King Charles saw his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, in person in more than four years. Prince Harry and Meghan had not been in the UK together since attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022. While Harry has made solo trips to Britain since then, this visit marked the first time the Sussex family reunited with the King in the UK in years. The family gathering took place at the King's private Gloucestershire residence after Charles completed engagements in Oxfordshire, including opening a building at the University of Oxford and meeting astronaut Tim Peake.
Security Concerns Overshadowed The Visit
The family reunion came after days of uncertainty over whether Meghan and the children would travel to Britain.
Harry and Meghan had initially planned to include the family in events linked to the Invictus Games. However, following concerns over security after Harry's request for taxpayer-funded police protection was rejected, it was later confirmed that Meghan and the children would not attend any public engagements.
Representatives for the Sussexes said Harry "continues to explore every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely and to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the UK."
After stepping down as senior working royals and moving to California in 2020, Harry and his family's security arrangements were downgraded and are now determined on a case-by-case basis by the UK government's Royal and VIP Executive Committee.
Earlier in the week, there was also confusion over reports that Harry would stay at Buckingham Palace. While his team said he had accepted an invitation to stay there, Buckingham Palace later said he had already been informed that he would not be staying at the royal residence.
Royal Family Relations Still Strained
The meeting is seen as a big moment after years of tense relations between Prince Harry and the Royal Family following his and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and relocate to California.
Their relationship with the Royal Family has also been affected by Harry's memoir Spare, as well as interviews and a documentary in which the couple criticized their treatment within the monarchy.
Despite the meeting with King Charles, there are no plans for Prince Harry to meet his brother, Prince William, during this visit. While Harry and his family were at Highgrove, the Prince of Wales was taking part in a charity polo match in Windsor.
Earlier on Friday, Harry attended an Invictus Games event in Birmingham, where he joined participants in activities including pickleball and wheelchair rugby.
The visit also followed a difficult week for the Duke of Sussex after the UK High Court dismissed claims brought by Harry and others against the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
