Prince Harry, his wife Meghan, and their children Archie and Lilibet met with King Charles and Queen Camilla for a private family gathering at the Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire on Friday. The meeting marked the first time the monarch, who is undergoing cancer treatment, had seen his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet in person since 2022.
The Sussexes' arrival at the King's 900-acre estate was discreetly managed, with their vehicle blending in among the numerous cars attending an exclusive Chanel luncheon. This event, honoring students of an embroidery course, provided cover for the family's private reunion.
"There were a large number of cars coming and going from Highgrove for the Chanel event which allowed the Sussexes’ car to blend in and helped them to enter the estate without being spotted," a source told The Mail on Sunday. The family reportedly spent more than an hour with the King and Queen, with the meeting occurring between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The reunion followed a period of speculation about whether Meghan and the children would accompany Harry to the UK. The family is believed to have been on holiday in Portugal prior to the visit. Harry arrived in Britain earlier in the week and had reportedly turned down an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace.
Earlier on Friday, Harry attended an engagement for the Invictus Games near Birmingham, where observers noted he appeared in high spirits. "Harry turned up at Invictus with a massive smile plastered all over his face," an observer said. This public appearance came after a week that included negative headlines, such as a security dispute and the conclusion of his privacy court case against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail.
Following the meeting with his father, Prince Harry was seen smiling at Scotty's Summer Festival in Warwickshire on Saturday. He is the global ambassador for Scotty's Little Soldiers, a charity supporting bereaved children from military families. During the festival, he engaged in activities such as "goat yoga" and spoke about the importance of sharing feelings. "I love being here, this is the highlight of my month," Harry said during his visit to Warwickshire. "Actually probably the last few months. It’s very easy to sit in your grief, to sit in your stress but, guys, if you are feeling it, share it."
Buckingham Palace confirmed the meeting had taken place but declined to provide details of the "private family occasion." The King has previously described Highgrove as a cherished sanctuary and a "place of healing."