Prince Harry is reportedly hoping to mend ties with the Royal Family during an upcoming visit to the UK with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who relocated to California after stepping back as senior royals in January 2020, are expected to be in Britain in July for celebrations marking one year until Invictus Games begins in Birmingham.
Harry is also due to attend engagements with WellChild and Scotty’s Little Soldiers, charities he has long supported. The visit has sparked speculation that it could lead to a long-awaited reunion between the King and his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after the Sussexes reportedly accepted an offer of royal accommodation.
Relations between Harry, Meghan and the Palace have remained strained since Harry released his memoir, Spare, in which he detailed tensions with members of the Royal Family, including his older brother Prince William.
Their interview with Oprah Winfrey also intensified scrutiny on the Royal Family, known for fiercely protecting its privacy.
It has been four years since Archie and Lilibet last saw the King in person, during Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2022.
Meghan has not returned to the UK since attending State Funeral of Elizabeth II in September that year. Harry has previously said he does not believe it is safe for Meghan to return due to threats made against her by right-wing extremists.
A source told the Daily Mail that the Sussexes’ trip represents the first step in Harry’s effort to ease tensions and rebuild his relationship with the Royal Family, particularly with his father.
A friend of Harry reportedly said the decision to return to Britain with Meghan and the children was made months ago, and included discussions about possible Palace support.
According to sources, the Palace’s view is that any meetings with the family must remain private — something Harry is said to have accepted.
Friends of the prince also believe Harry sees this visit as a chance to create a new understanding with the Palace, one that would allow the Royal Family to accept the Sussexes’ freedom to pursue their commercial ventures in the US while also bringing them closer to the royal fold.
A source close to Harry said there is “some acceptance” that in the UK, he could take on a semi-working royal role, provided no commercial activity is involved.
The report suggests Harry hopes this could help move beyond the strict terms set at the Sandringham Summit, where the Palace made clear the Sussexes could not remain “half-in, half-out” of royal life.
