King Charles III has offered royal accommodation for the planned visit of Prince Harry, his wife Meghan Markle and their children to the United Kingdom in July 2026. The trip, which will mark the first return of the entire family in four years, comes amid uncertainty over security issues, the final decision of which will rest with the British Home Office.
Preparations for returning to the United Kingdom
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s return to their home country was first reported by the Daily Telegraph on June 17. Sources close to the royal family confirmed to USA Today that the 77-year-old British monarch has made accommodation available for the family, although there will be no official response from the Sussexes as of June 19. The family is expected to remain in Crown residences during their stay.
History of refusals and the issue of personal safety
This isn’t the first time Harry and Meghan have been offered accommodation at Buckingham Palace during visits to the UK; however, they declined earlier proposals. The main reason for these refusals and hesitancy to return has been the Prince’s significant concern for the safety of his family, especially following the loss of his taxpayer-funded police protection in 2020. Even if they accept the offer of royal accommodation, there will be no automatic additional security measures as these are the sole responsibility of the Home Office.
The impact of the departure of the royal family in 2020
The departure of Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, from the front line of the British monarchy, popularly known as “Megxit”, occurred in 2020. Since then, the couple and their children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, have resided in California, in the United States. The last time the family was together in the United Kingdom was in June 2022, during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Meghan, in turn, returned briefly in September 2022 for the sovereign’s funeral.
Prince Harry’s legal battle to protect his family
Since his stepping back from royal duties in 2020, the Duke of Sussex and his family’s security has been downgraded, resulting in the loss of full police protection. Prince Harry has fought tirelessly to reverse this decision, citing safety as a fundamental pillar for the well-being of his wife and children on British soil. In 2023, he lost an appeal to a UK court seeking to reinstate his protection levels. The prince publicly expressed his dilemma:
“The United Kingdom is my home. The United Kingdom is central to my children’s heritage and a place where I want them to feel at home as much as where they currently live in the United States,” Harry said in 2023. “That cannot happen if there is no possibility of keeping them safe when they are on UK soil.”
He further added, “I can’t put my wife in danger like that, and given my life experiences, I’m reluctant to put myself in danger unnecessarily as well.”
Chronology of security challenges for the Duke of Sussex
The last few years have been marked by important decisions that have shaped the security situation for Prince Harry and his family.
- 2020: Harry and Meghan step back from royal duties and lose taxpayer-funded police protection.
- 2023: Prince Harry loses a legal appeal in the United Kingdom that aimed to restore security levels for him and his family on British soil.
- July 2026 (planned): The family of four are scheduled to visit the UK, with security concerns still being assessed by the Home Office.
Expectations for the visit and future decisions
King Charles III’s offer represents a welcoming gesture in the midst of a complex relationship. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s acceptance of royal accommodations, along with the Home Office’s decision on security, will set the terms and tranquility of the visit. The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial for public perception and the future of relations between the Sussexes and the British monarchy.