If the monarch accepts the invitation for a California reunion with grandchildren Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, it would be the first time he’s seen them in person since 2022
Prince Harry is said to have invited his father, King Charles, to Montecito(Image: Getty)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have invited King Charles to be reunited with his grandchildren in California this year, according to friends of the couple.
The King and Queen are due to visit the USA in April to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence – and now the monarch has been asked to make a side trip to Montecito.
A source told the Sun said: “Harry has made it clear that he would love his dad to come and visit him and the family. He knows that they are strained, but he has mentioned several times a hope that his father can have a relationship with his grandchildren.”
America is set to roll out the red carpet for Charles and Camilla after being invited by President Donald Trump, in return for his unprecedented second state visit to the UK last year.
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A number of official engagements in Washington DC are expected, although no further details of the trip have been released. The King’s reunion with his grandchildren, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, would be a massive PR win for the Trump administration – and for the Sussexes.
His Majesty, 77, revealed before Christmas his health has now improved after cancer treatment, which means he could be fit enough for an extended visit to California. Harry has been hoping for a family reunion ever since his meeting with his father in London last September.
A photo of Archie and Lilibet was given to the King(Image: Instagram @meghan )
The King last saw Archie and Lilibet in person when they visited the UK as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. For the past three years, Harry has refused to bring his family back home due to a battle with the Home Office over who should foot the bill for armed protection.
Although the Duke of Sussex lost a court case over the row, a royal and VIP executive security review is to be carried out and it is said the “noises are positive” that the Sussexes will be reinstated at the top rank for the first time since Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals.
If Charles does visit Montecito, he would be following in the footsteps of his late mother, who spent 10 days touring the West Coast of the USA and Canada on board Royal Yacht Britannia in March 1983.
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She and Prince Philip were due to sail into Santa Barbara – just up the coast from Montecito – but this leg of the journey had to be cancelled due to a massive Pacific storm, with 30ft waves off the coast. Instead, they were flown north from Long Beach by a US Air Force plane to meet President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy at Rancho Del Cielo, their country home near Santa Barbara.
Meanwhile, Charles himself has visited California several times – most recently in 2005, during his first royal tour with Queen Camilla as man and wife when they went to San Francisco. He also visited Los Angeles in 1977 and again in 1994.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the prospect of the King making a visit to Montecito. A spokesman for Prince Harry said: “We wouldn’t comment on private conversations between father and son.”
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