Much has been said and written about Prince Harry’s visit to Britain. He arrived in his homeland alone during the first week of July, but several days later, after considerable hesitation, his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, joined him.
After four years without seeing his grandchildren, King Charles hosted the Sussex family at his royal residence together with his wife, Queen Camilla. The meeting was arranged under a heavy veil of secrecy, despite extensive briefings provided to the media. As of publication, not a single photograph from the emotional reunion had been released.
After the meeting, which took place last Friday evening, Harry continued his royal tour, while Meghan and the children were forced to return home to Los Angeles earlier than expected because they were not provided with security.
“The trip that was supposed to be enjoyable turned into a real nightmare for Meghan,” royal correspondent Russell Myers said. “Meghan felt humiliated when she was forced to stand on the sidelines while Harry and the royal institution argued over accommodations for her family,” another source said. “Meghan is very supportive of Harry, but she feels great sadness over how the trip unfolded.”
Another source told Page Six that “Meghan always lets Harry take the lead when it comes to dealing with his family.” That account contradicts claims that Harry has lost his ability to make decisions in their relationship.
Harry’s visit lasted only about one week. The Duke of Sussex traveled to Britain to mark one year until the opening of the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
(Photo: Gettyimages)
During the week, he met military veterans, won an exhibition wheelchair rugby match and met children who had lost a parent during military service. Hours after Harry landed in Britain, a court ruled that he and his co-claimants had lost their case against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
At the same time, it was decided that Harry and his family would not receive taxpayer-funded security, and Buckingham Palace withdrew its offer to host the Sussexes at a royal residence. As a result, Harry spent most of the trip alone.
The high point of the visit was his meeting with his father, which remained completely secret. “It is better that people know nothing about these meetings,” a source said. “That way, they will have a better chance of rebuilding their relationship with the royal family.” Still, it seems only a matter of time before more details about the visit emerge.