Harry and Meghan accept royal residence offer for upcoming UK visit
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are returning to the UK with their children for a visit centered on the Invictus Games. The family has accepted an invitation to stay in a royal residence for the duration of their trip.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to return to the United Kingdom next month, accompanied by their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. The visit, scheduled for July, marks the first time the family of four will travel to Britain together since the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. According to reports, the family has accepted an invitation to stay in a royal residence, a departure from previous trips during which the Duke of Sussex had reportedly declined such offers due to concerns regarding the high-profile nature of those buildings and the accompanying security implications.
The family’s itinerary, which includes a mix of royal and private accommodation, is centered around the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games, which are to be hosted in Birmingham. In addition to these professional obligations, the Duke is expected to attend events related to other charitable causes he supports. While the couple has confirmed their participation in events in London and the Midlands, their children are not expected to make public appearances.
Media additions
This trip occurs against a backdrop of long-standing public tension following the couple's decision to step back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020. Since relocating to California, the relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family has been the subject of intense media scrutiny, complicated by revelations in Prince Harry’s memoir and various televised interviews. Despite this, there has been recent speculation regarding a potential thawing of relations. Prince Harry and King Charles met for a private tea at Clarence House in September, their first face-to-face meeting in several months at that time. Whether the King will meet with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren during this upcoming visit remains a matter of private family business, with both Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Duke and Duchess declining to comment.
Coverage: Security and Logistics
Security remains a primary concern for the family. Following his departure from royal duties, Prince Harry lost his taxpayer-funded police protection. He has since engaged in a series of legal challenges against the Home Office to have that protection reinstated, losing an appeal in court in 2025. While exact security arrangements for the July trip have not been disclosed, it is understood that no additional security provision has been offered by Buckingham Palace. Representatives for the Sussexes noted that the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures has not conducted a risk management board for the visit, despite previous assurances that such an assessment would be completed.
Speculation has also emerged regarding other potential stops during the trip. Reports indicate the family may visit Althorp House in Northamptonshire, the childhood home of the late Princess Diana, where her grave is located.
What to Watch Next
- July 7 – July 11: The window for the family's reported stay in the United Kingdom.
- July 10: A scheduled event in Birmingham to mark one year until the Invictus Games.
While the Duke and Duchess maintain their base in California, their return to a royal estate—as reported by the BBC, The Independent, and other outlets—is being closely watched for any signals of a broader reconciliation.
