Prince Harry’s plans to return to the United Kingdom with Meghan Markle and their two children next month have been thrown into uncertainty following a decision concerning their security arrangements. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had reportedly hoped to visit Britain as a family for the first time in four years.
The trip was expected to coincide with events marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games, which will take place in Birmingham. Harry was said to be looking forward to giving Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, an opportunity to spend time with their grandfather, King Charles. The Sussex family was expected to remain in the UK for approximately five days. During the proposed visit, Meghan was reportedly scheduled to accompany Harry to several public engagements in London and the Midlands. The appearances would have been connected to the Invictus Games, the international sporting competition Harry founded for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.
<!–nextpage–>
The Duke was also expected to meet with representatives from several British charities that he has continued to support since relocating to California. According to the BBC, representatives for Harry and Meghan said the couple had accepted an offer from King Charles to stay at a royal residence during their visit. The specific property was not publicly identified. However, sources connected to Buckingham Palace reportedly said they had not received confirmation that the offer had been formally accepted. Harry and Meghan were also believed to be considering private accommodation for part of their stay.
The family’s travel plans are now in doubt after the UK government reportedly declined Harry’s request for police protection while outside royal residences. A source close to the Duke told The Guardian that Harry was deeply upset by the decision and would not bring his children to Britain if he believed they could be followed by photographers or placed at risk. The source added that Harry was reviewing alternative security arrangements but remained uncertain about whether the family visit could proceed safely. “Their plans to spend time with family and friends, as well as visit charities that remain important to Harry, have been disrupted at the last minute,” the source said. “He is considering every available option to bring his family to the UK safely.” Should Meghan and the children decide not to travel, King Charles would lose another opportunity to see Archie and Lilibet in person. The monarch is believed to have last seen his youngest grandchildren during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
<!–nextpage–>
Harry previously lost a legal challenge concerning his eligibility for automatic police protection when visiting Britain. Since then, a new assessment of the security risks surrounding him has reportedly been conducted. He had been awaiting a final decision from the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, commonly known as RAVEC, which is responsible for determining protection arrangements for members of the royal family and other high-profile individuals. A UK government spokesperson described the country’s protective security system as “rigorous and proportionate” but declined to discuss the details of any individual case.
Harry last met King Charles in London in September 2025. The meeting was widely interpreted as a possible step toward improving their relationship after several years of public tension. A business associate of the Duke and Duchess recently told The Telegraph that there had been a gradual “warming of the frost” between Harry and his father. A final decision on the trip—and whether Meghan, Archie and Lilibet will accompany Harry—is expected in the coming days.
