Prince Harry is set to travel to the United Kingdom alone on Monday, as his wife Meghan and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will not accompany him. The decision comes after a request for police protection for the family during their visit was denied, a move Prince Harry has reportedly found deeply upsetting.
The Sussexes' children have not seen their grandfather, King Charles, since 2022. While Meghan and the children will not be in London with Harry, sources have not ruled out the possibility of them joining him later in the week for other engagements in the UK. Meghan is scheduled to join her husband for an event in Birmingham on Friday to promote the Invictus Games, the charity Harry founded for wounded service members.
Harry has long expressed concerns about his family's security when visiting Britain. He argues that his current security arrangements, which require a three-week notice period for each visit and are assessed on a case-by-case basis, are insufficient given what his team describes as "real and credible threats," including terrorism concerns.
Initially, Prince Harry's team had informed the press that he would be traveling with his wife and children. However, less than 24 hours later, the plan changed, with a spokesperson citing safety fears if they traveled without full-time, taxpayer-funded armed police protection. Meghan has not visited the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022.
It is understood that Harry plans to meet with King Charles during his visit. These meetings are expected to be private, with royal courtiers reportedly advising the Sussexes against releasing any photographs of such reunions. Prince William and Princess Kate are unlikely to see the Sussexes during this trip.
Harry has indicated a desire for his children to experience their British heritage. He reportedly wishes to take Archie and Lilibet to Althorp, his late mother Princess Diana's family home, where she is buried. "It's important to him that the English side of their heritage is part of their life," a source close to the couple stated. "But their security is everything. There are real and credible threats and he will not put his family in danger."
Prince Harry is also expected to attend events for charities such as WellChild and Scotty's Little Soldiers. His visit coincides with the delivery of a ruling in his legal case against Associated Newspapers on Tuesday, in which he alleges unlawful means were used to obtain stories, a charge the publisher denies. A loss in this case could result in significant legal fees for Prince Harry.
Meghan and Harry stepped down as working members of the royal family in March 2020, relocating to Montecito, California. Friends of the couple have noted that both Lilibet and Archie have developed strong American accents. Harry has previously stated his "ardent wish" for his children to be familiar with their British heritage, a sentiment echoed by some who believe a connection to the UK is important for the couple's relevance, particularly in the United States.