King Charles set to reunite with Archie and Lilibet as Harry plans July UK visit

The planned visit

Prince Harry and Meghan will travel to the United Kingdom in July, bringing their children Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, for the first family visit in four years. The trip coincides with events in Birmingham and London from 6 to 10 July ahead of the Invictus Games, the sports tournament Harry founded. It marks the first time the children will set foot in their father's home country since the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022.

Security and the palace stay

Harry, 41, lost his entitlement to round-the-clock personal protection in the UK in 2024, making security a decisive factor. On previous solo visits he declined offers to stay at royal residences, but multiple British and US media report that this time he has accepted. Buckingham Palace, currently unoccupied during a renovation costing around €425 million, is considered the safest building in the country (guarded by the Household Division and armed police) and is under consideration, along with St James’s Palace, Windsor Castle and Frogmore Cottage.

A grandfather's hope

King Charles, 77, is said to be overjoyed at the prospect of seeing his grandchildren. A palace staffer confirmed to Bild that preparations are under way at Highgrove and in London.

“Yes, it's true. Preparations for a meeting are being made at Highgrove and also in London. The King longs to see and embrace his grandchildren.”

The Sun reported an agreement that Charles would meet Archie and Lilibet. The children (sixth and seventh in line to the throne) last saw their grandfather at the Platinum Jubilee. It is still unclear whether Meghan, 44, will join that reunion.

Frosty relations with William

A meeting between Harry and his brother Prince William is not expected. The two, who are reported not to have spoken since the funeral of Elizabeth II in September 2022, show no signs of a rapprochement during this trip.

Background of the rift

Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in January 2020 and relocated to California. The following years brought Harry’s memoir (2023) and a legal battle over his UK security. In May 2025 he told the BBC he hoped for reconciliation; this visit is now widely read as the first concrete step toward a thaw.