Meghan Markle returns to Britain with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet for first time in years
Meghan Markle and her two young children are in the U.K.
The trio, along with Prince Harry, had a private family meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House on Friday afternoon, People reported. No photos or additional details of the meeting are expected to be released.
On July 9, The Telegraph reported that the Duchess of Sussex would return to Prince Harry's home country with their son, Prince Archie, 7, and daughter, Princess Lilibet, 5. According to the outlet, they are not expected to make any public appearances.
The visit marks the family's first visit to England in four years. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who moved to California in 2020, were in the U.K. with their children for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The Sussexes were vacationing with their children in Europe before Harry returned to the U.K. alone on July 6, according to People. Meghan was expected to join Harry with the children, but the U.K. government declined his request for police protection for his family outside royal residences.
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He is expected to remain in the U.K. through July 11 for events highlighting the Invictus Games.
The Sussexes lost their taxpayer-funded security after they stepped back as senior working royals. Harry was denied the restoration of that security by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC).
People previously reported that ahead of Harry's trip, his team spent several days exploring ways to make the visit safe through enhanced private security arrangements. Palace sources said Harry initially declined an invitation to stay at a royal residence before accepting it on Saturday, July 4.
Harry's spokesperson told People that an offer for the Duke of Sussex to stay at Buckingham Palace during his London visit was withdrawn after he had formally accepted it. Palace sources, however, disputed that account, saying Harry failed to respond by the deadline and that his later acceptance came only after arrangements could no longer be made.
Harry had also hoped to bring his family to Britain for the first time since 2022. However, after learning they would receive police protection only while on royal property — and not throughout the visit — People reported on July 4 that they would not accompany him.
On July 8, The Mirror reported that Harry was "frantically" working to secure private security so Meghan and their children could travel to the U.K. safely.
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It has been reported that Harry wants his children to know their British heritage and have a relationship with Charles, who continues to undergo cancer treatment. In a 2025 BBC interview, Harry said he hoped to reconcile with his family because "there's no point continuing to fight anymore." He also said his father was no longer speaking to him over the ongoing security dispute.
Taxpayer-funded security is determined on a case-by-case basis by RAVEC, according to Vanity Fair. The magazine reported that it is generally provided only to full-time working members of the royal family. A Home Office spokesperson confirmed to Vanity Fair that the government's position remains unchanged.
In his 2023 memoir, "Spare," Harry wrote about his daughter meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II and his father for the first time as she celebrated her first birthday during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
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Archie made "deep, chivalrous bows" while "Lili cuddled her great-grandmother's shins," he wrote.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing what they described as the unbearable intrusions by the British press and a lack of support from the palace. They later aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries. Harry's memoir further strained his relationship with his family.