The King has decided not to make any changes to his schedule this week as the anticipated meeting with his grandchildren, together with Prince Harry, seems to be off the table. The Duke of Sussex is expected to arrive in the UK tomorrow, but he will be traveling solo due to concerns about safety, opting not to bring his wife Meghan and their two children to London. This decision likely means that the King’s hopes of seeing his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, will not materialize.
Meghan, aged 44, has not been in the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022, while the children have not visited since June of the same year when they joined the Sussexes for the late Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations. The King has had limited opportunities to meet Archie and only met Lilibet once in the summer of 2022 during their time in the UK.
Harry and Meghan disclosed their detailed UK itinerary recently, planning various engagements and meetings in London and Birmingham. However, their plans had to be revised abruptly after being informed by the Home Office that they would not be entitled to taxpayer-funded security during their visit.
The Sussexes lost their publicly funded security privileges in the UK after stepping down from their royal duties and relocating to the United States in March 2020. Harry, aged 41, expressed frustration and disappointment over this decision, with government sources suggesting that he may have tried to pressure the Home Office by prematurely announcing his intentions.
Sources within the royal circle described the ongoing saga regarding the Sussexes’ travel arrangements as “wearisome,” confirming that the King’s agenda for the upcoming week remains unchanged, filled with scheduled public duties and private meetings.
There was reportedly annoyance among palace insiders due to Harry’s lack of communication about his travel plans and failure to respond to the invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace. As last-minute changes unfolded, arranging a meeting between the King and his son seemed increasingly challenging.
The possibility of Meghan and the children joining Harry in London this week was ruled out on Saturday, citing Harry’s persistent safety concerns. Despite being offered accommodation at a royal residence to address security worries, no indication has been given to Buckingham Palace about Harry’s decision to accept the invitation.
Previously, Harry declined an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace, citing security concerns. A report by the Sussexes’ security team revealed multiple terrorist threats against Harry, raising security apprehensions. The risk assessment report highlighted various threats, including an al-Qaeda document advocating for his assassination.
The Sussexes are believed to have spent the past week at their vacation home in Portugal, while their security team continues to strategize a safe travel plan for their UK visit. It is anticipated that if Meghan and the children do travel to the UK, they may stay at Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer’s Althorp estate in Northamptonshire for part of the week.
In addition to Harry’s public commitments, the Sussexes have reportedly made arrangements to meet with friends outside London, subject to security considerations. Harry’s schedule includes engagements related to the Invictus Games Foundation and a court hearing against Associated Newspapers during his visit.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who have not interacted with Harry and Meghan since the late Queen’s funeral, have no plans to meet with Harry or his family during their potential stay. On Sunday, Harry will attend a summer festival in Warwickshire as an ambassador for the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, near Althorp House where his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, is laid to rest.
There have been suggestions that the family might convene at one of the King’s country residences, Highgrove in Gloucestershire or Sandringham in Norfolk, on Saturday, but no formal request has been made yet. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter.
