Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing for their upcoming visit to the United Kingdom, and speculation is mounting over which family members the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will meet. Among the most talked-about potential reunions is one with Harry’s cousin, Zara Tindall.

Once considered close friends, the relationship between Prince Harry and Zara Tindall has reportedly deteriorated significantly over the years. The two cousins, who grew up together within the royal fold, are said to have drifted apart since Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018 and subsequently stepped back from royal duties.

A Once-Close Friendship Fades

Royal expert Duncan Larcombe has indicated that the Duke of Sussex has effectively lost touch with his cousin. Sources suggest that the pair have barely communicated in recent years, with their once-strong bond now largely nonexistent . The last time Harry and Zara were seen together in public was during King Charles III’s Coronation in 2023 .

The apparent distance between them is underscored by a recent family event: Harry was notably absent from the wedding of Zara’s brother, Peter Phillips, last month. Reports indicate that the Duke of Sussex was not invited to the ceremony, a decision that has fueled further speculation about his standing with the extended royal family .

Family Rift Extends Beyond Prince William

While the fractured relationship between Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, has been well-documented, the cooling of ties with Zara suggests that the fallout reaches further. Royal correspondent Emily Andrews has noted that Prince William is not the only family member upset with Harry . Other relatives are said to feel let down by his actions and public statements about the monarchy in recent years.

Zara Tindall and her husband, Mike Tindall, have remained close to Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, and are seen as reliable and supportive members of the family . This loyalty to the Prince and Princess of Wales may create further barriers to reconciliation with Harry.

What to Expect During the UK Visit

Prince Harry is set to travel to the UK in early July for events marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham . He is expected to be accompanied by Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet .

The visit will be the family’s first trip back together since the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 . King Charles has reportedly extended an invitation for the family to stay at a royal residence, partly to address Harry’s security concerns . However, it remains unclear whether the Duke will have the opportunity to see his father or other family members.

Given the state of their relationship, a meeting between Harry and Zara Tindall appears unlikely unless King Charles personally intervenes and requests her presence . For now, the rift between the cousins appears to be another chapter in the ongoing tensions between the Duke of Sussex and the royal family he left behind.