Harry reconsiders bringing Meghan and children on UK trip
BBC News 2026-06-28 02:33:53
Context: Prince Harry is reconsidering his plans to bring his wife, Meghan, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, on a family visit to the UK next month after his request for police protection was rejected. The family was due to make their first visit to the UK in four years, with plans to stay on a royal estate as guests of King Charles and participate in several public engagements. However, with the decision to not provide taxpayer-funded security, Prince Harry is now evaluating the feasibility of the trip.
Key Facts
- Prince Harry's team had put in a formal request for police security while in the UK, but it was rejected by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), which decides on security provision for senior royals for the Home Office.
- The Duke of Sussex and his family were due to stay on a royal estate during the trip as guests of King Charles, and were also expected to use private accommodation while in the UK, with police protection available while on the estate but not outside of those times.
- Prince Harry had previously expressed concerns over safety, stating in a BBC News interview that he worried it would not be safe to bring his wife and children back to the UK, and that they would "miss everything" if they did.
- The visit was timed to mark the start of the year-long countdown to the Invictus Games for injured military personnel, which will be held in Birmingham next July, and Prince Harry was also expected to visit other UK-based charities he has continued to support since moving to California.
- The last time King Charles saw his grandchildren in person was during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, and Prince Harry last saw his father in September when he had tea with the King at Clarence House, their first face-to-face meeting since February 2024.