Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are set to return to the United Kingdom in July, and preparations are reportedly underway to ensure King Charles has a meaningful reunion with his youngest grandchildren.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel to London with their children for events marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. The family trip, scheduled for early July, would mark the first time Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, have visited Britain together since Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 . For the monarch, the meeting carries deep personal significance after years of limited contact with his California-based grandchildren.
King Charles is said to be making arrangements to accommodate the meeting despite his traditionally busy summer schedule. The monarch typically travels to Scotland during the summer months for his annual Balmoral visit, but sources indicate he will adjust his plans to ensure he sees Archie and Lilibet .
Monarch Expected to Accommodate Summer Schedule
Grant Harrold, a former royal butler who worked with King Charles between 2004 and 2011, has commented on the King's intentions regarding the potential reunion. Speaking to AceOdds, Harrold suggested that the only obstacle to the meeting would be a scheduling conflict, noting that King Charles typically spends part of the summer in Scotland.
"I'm sure he will do everything he can to make it work," Harrold said. "This will be extremely important to the King, and he will make it a priority" .
The King's desire to meet with his grandchildren reflects his known devotion to family. Despite the estrangement between the monarch and Prince Harry following the Sussexes' decision to step back from royal duties in 2020, King Charles has reportedly remained fond of his American-based grandchildren and has been saddened by the limited opportunities to build a relationship with them .
Security and Accommodation Arrangements Underway
The July visit will be the first time Prince Harry and Meghan have brought both children to the UK since the late Queen's jubilee festivities. The family was also in Britain for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, but no public appearances involving the children were made at that time .
King Charles has reportedly offered the Sussex family accommodation at a royal residence during their stay, which would provide security coverage through existing arrangements at the property . This offer comes amid ongoing discussions about the Duke's security status in the UK, which has been a point of contention since the family lost taxpayer-funded police protection after relocating to the United States in 2020 .
The Sussexes' security arrangements are currently under review by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, though no final decision has been announced . Palace officials have indicated that a stay at a royal estate would ensure appropriate security coverage during the visit.
Limited Opportunities for Relationship Building
King Charles has had only fleeting opportunities to bond with his American grandchildren since they moved to California. Archie, who was born in May 2019, spent his early months in the UK before the Sussexes relocated to North America. Lilibet, born in June 2021, has reportedly met her grandfather only once — during the Platinum Jubilee visit when she was just one year old .
Prince Harry has had intermittent contact with his father during visits to the UK for charity events. Most recently, in September 2025, the Duke spent approximately one hour with King Charles over tea at Clarence House . Meghan has not been in the same room with any member of the royal family since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II .
The upcoming visit represents a potential turning point in family relations. Buckingham Palace officials are said to be favoring a private meeting, with any encounter likely to remain behind closed doors rather than being arranged for public viewing . This approach contrasts with 2022 reports that the Sussexes had sought to have the late Queen photographed with Archie and Lilibet — a request that was reportedly declined due to concerns about the images becoming public .
Invictus Games Countdown Brings Family to UK
The primary purpose of the Sussexes' visit is Prince Harry's attendance at the one-year countdown events for the 2027 Invictus Games, which will be hosted in Birmingham . Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to support wounded, injured, and sick service personnel, and the couple has traditionally been involved in milestone events for the adaptive sports competition.
Neither Buckingham Palace nor representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released official details about the visit or confirmed the specifics of any royal meeting. The family's itinerary and length of stay have also not been publicly disclosed .
As the July visit approaches, attention will focus on whether a reunion between King Charles and his grandchildren takes place — and whether it signals any broader thawing of tensions within the royal family.
