The monarch has no intentions to change his schedule this week amid the growing unlikelihood of a meeting with his grandchildren and Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex is expected to arrive in the UK tomorrow alone, as he decided it wasn’t safe for his wife Meghan and their two children to accompany him to London. This decision has dashed the King’s hopes of a potential reunion with his grandchildren, seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet.
Meghan, aged 44, has not returned to the UK since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, which she attended alongside Harry. Similarly, the children have been absent since June of the same year when they visited during the late Queen’s platinum jubilee celebration. The King has had limited interactions with Archie during Harry and Meghan’s UK residency and has only met Lilibet once in the summer of 2022.
Harry and Meghan recently disclosed their UK itinerary, which included various joint engagements and meetings in London and Birmingham. However, their plans had to be revised abruptly after learning that they would not receive taxpayer-funded security for the visit. This loss of funding came about following their decision to step back from royal duties and relocate to the United States in March 2020.
The couple’s travel arrangements have caused frustration within royal circles, with sources describing the situation as tiresome. Despite the uncertainties surrounding Harry’s visit, the King remains committed to his scheduled public engagements and private meetings for the upcoming week.
Efforts to facilitate a meeting between the King and his son have been complicated by these last-minute changes. Additionally, there has been a lack of communication from Harry regarding his travel plans or response to the invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace. The ongoing security concerns have led to uncertainties about the family’s whereabouts, with suggestions that they may spend time at Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer’s residence in Northamptonshire.
The Sussexes’ travel plans continue to be a subject of interest, with speculations about potential meetings at the King’s country residences. However, as of now, no formal request has been made. Buckingham Palace has refrained from providing any comment on the matter.