The family’s holiday snap on Meghan’s Instagram account, published December 19, 2025
The long awaited trip is a go.
Brace yourselves for a month of breathless speculation about what the Sussex family will do, where they will stay, and who they will see (or not see) during their first family trip to Britain since September 2022. In the words of Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada, “Gird your loins!”
In July, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex bring their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the United Kingdom for what is expected to be a weeklong stay. While Harry regularly visits the United Kingdom and last saw his father in September, Meghan and the kids haven’t seen any royal relation since September 2022, when their visit to Britain got extended due to the death of Elizabeth II.
On Friday, June 19, reports about the trip were published by media outlets and reporters previously favoured by the Sussex side. As Rebecca English wrote in the Daily Mail: “Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on a slew of reports being briefed out by ‘Team Sussex’ that the Duke of Sussex plans to bring his wife, Meghan, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, back to the UK for the first time in four years in July.”
So, here are 10 questions about the upcoming visit, and my answers as of Friday, June 19. (Yeah, it’s going to be a long month.)
July 16 marks the one-year countdown to the Birmingham Invictus Games. Prince Harry was always going to mark that event, but there had been doubts about whether he’d do it in Britain and whether he’d bring his family.
He’d long said that he couldn’t bring them until he was satisfied with their security. As he explained in a December 2023 statement, “The U.K. is my home. The U.K. is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the US. That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on U.K. soil. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way, too.”
HOW DID I MISS THAT SUBSTACK NOW OFFERS COLOURED TYPEFACE?!
LET’S CELEBRATE!
IF 30 READERS SUBSCRIBE BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF JUNE, I’LL LIFT THE PAYWALL ON MY MID-YEAR ‘BY THE NUMBERS’ POST, WHICH WILL NOW INCLUDE SOME COLOURED ACCENTS!
He wants 24/7 taxpayer-funded police security provided any time he and his family are in Britain. He used to enjoy that level of security when he and Meghan were working members of the royal family. Now, the level of security is decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on his plans in Britain. As well, he needs to tell authorities of his plans at least 28 days in advance.
Though last year he lost his protracted court case against the British government regarding his security, the government did agree to review his security. That started months ago, yet no decision has been announced as of now.
On Friday, the first reports implied Harry’s father had stepped up to ensure that his son’s security concerns had been satisfied. In the Telegraph, Victoria Ward wrote, “The family was offered accommodation and security provision by the King in a move that signalled a clear desire to be reunited with his young grandchildren.”
Then, sources close to the palace pushed back on that narrative. “No additional offers of security” have been given,” according to a June 19 post by Rebecca English of the Daily Mail. In addition, in a detailed story, she stated, “However it is understood that the suggestion that ‘additional arrangements’ have been offered for security provision for a potential visit are wide of the mark. The palace position remains clear that all matters of security are for the Home Office to decide upon.”
Later, Kate Mansey of the Times buttressed that position: “It is not known which royal estate Charles has offered for Harry’s pending visit, although it is likely to be one of the private residences. However, sources close to Charles moved to contradict reports that the King has offered to pay for private security for his son for the visit. It comes amid a row over security for Harry with Charles refusing to be drawn into the situation, it is understood.
Mansey also raised another concern: “Now, those close to the case wonder if Harry is using the information of a potential visit by his children to force the King to intervene. It has been said that Harry would welcome an invitation from the King to Sandringham, however, Charles is understood to be reluctant to be pulled into a conversation that could change the due process over his son’s security.”
Likely, they will visit the King. He hasn’t seen his young California-based grandchildren in person since 2022 and it’s no secret that he wants to have a relationship with them.
Perhaps Queen Camilla may be present, if only to act as a buffer. She’s also fabulous with young children.
Most royal watchers believe that the Prince and Princess of Wales will not be seeing Harry, Meghan, and the kids on this trip. The two brothers have broken all contact and there’s no sign of any thaw in that relationship.
As with previous visits by Harry and/or his family to Britain, the King has reportedly offered accommodation at royal residence, which would mean they are inside the royal security cordon. In the past, Harry turned down Buckingham Palace, apparently because it would be too easy for someone to follow him from that site.
The most logical spots would be in the country, perhaps the King’s private residences of Sandringham or Highgrove. The security cordon around the monarch should be strict enough to satisfy Harry, though it’s not clear whether that offer has been accepted.
Sandringham is a massive estate with many areas off limits to visitors. The family could quietly enter and exit. But it’s home to Anmer Hall, where Prince William and his family often spend big parts of their summer, which could make for an awkward encounter (though William and family could temporarily decamp to another royal home.)
Or they could meet at Highgrove, which has gardens that would enchant any child. Right now, the July schedule for public garden tours at Highgrove shows that Saturday, July 4 to Sunday, July 12 has been blocked off, as has Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19.
I sure hope not. Yes, I know that both Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are pretty unpopular in Britain. The polling firm YouGov puts Harry’s popularity at 25 percent with Meghan’s at 26 percent.
Maybe I’m too quintessentially Canadian but I believe it’s possible to criticize people without descending into vitriol and it’s possible to praise people without slamming others. I detest this trend of people going out of their way to be nasty to people in person or online.