Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are confirmed to be traveling to the United Kingdom for a series of public engagements, including the Invictus Games' 'one year to go' event in Birmingham. Initially, the couple's travel plans, especially for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were uncertain, with reports suggesting Harry was reconsidering the trip due to security concerns.
However, a friend of Prince Harry stated with 100% certainty that the Duke will attend, and Meghan will accompany him. Meghan's presence is reportedly motivated by her understanding of how meaningful the Invictus Games and its related charities are to Harry. She is also expected to join him at a children's hospital visit in Birmingham, with the couple described as attending "as a couple."
While the couple has remained largely silent regarding their children's travel plans, sources close to Harry believe it is highly probable that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will join for at least a portion of the visit. The primary objective, according to these sources, is for the children to spend private time with their grandfather, King Charles, and to connect with their heritage. This desire to foster family connections appears to be a significant motivator for the trip, especially in light of King Charles's recent cancer diagnosis.
The Sussexes are currently on a private summer holiday in Europe, with speculation suggesting they are staying with a close friend in the Mediterranean, rather than in Portugal as some reports indicated. This location is believed to offer a secure base from which they can travel to the UK.
Friends of Prince Harry suggest he is keen to "reconnect" with his father and country. The family has not been in the UK together since the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Harry has expressed concern over his father's illness and the limited time his children have spent with their grandfather. Plans for this visit began formulating in January, with Harry reportedly agreeing to keep any family meetings private in exchange for being able to undertake public-facing charity events and hospital visits, akin to his former role as a "working royal."
The couple's visit will be entirely self-funded, with friends emphasizing that Harry and Meghan are covering all costs. Public engagements include a speech at Chatham House on Tuesday, the same day a judgment is expected in Harry's lawsuit against Associated Newspapers over alleged phone hacking. This legal case, along with ongoing disputes about security arrangements, could cast a shadow over the visit.
The security issue has been a point of contention, with Harry's office issuing conflicting statements about his attendance. The Home Office has maintained that the couple, having moved overseas in 2020, no longer qualify for automatic taxpayer-funded security, but would receive protection based on assessed need. However, reports suggest Harry's private security firm has detailed numerous threats, including terrorist plots, prompting his view that the offered security is disproportionate to his status as the son of a King and a former serviceman promoting an Armed Forces event.