King Charles is keen to develop a stronger bond with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet but only under one particular condition, according to reports.
The 77-year-old is widely recognized as a dedicated grandfather to Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and eight year old Prince Louis and is said to want the same relationship with his two youngest grandchildren.
Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, who turns five next week, have had minimal time with their royal relatives, especially considering they live in California with parents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
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However, speculation has emerged that the Duke of Sussex is keen to bring his children to the U.K. this year, with the Balmoral estate in Scotland pinpointed as the most probable location where the King could spend meaningful time with Archie and Lilibet.
It comes as reports claim Harry plans to skip meeting two members of the Royal family upon his return to the UK.
Prince Harry will be in the U.K. this coming July for the Invictus Games one-year countdown, which may be a good time for the entire family to meet with King Charles -Credit:Instagram
Discussing the possible visit, which will likely only proceed if security arrangements for the Sussex family are approved, royal author Ingrid Seward told The Mirror, “The only place that really I think they could meet if the King is to get to know or at least see his grandchildren, is at Balmoral.
“It’s the only time the King has time, and the Sussexes could be accommodated there because there are lots of cottages on the Estate.”
However, the author insisted that the King would only allow the meeting to go ahead if Harry and Meghan accepted specific terms.
She added, “Harry and Meghan don’t have to stay in the castle, although of course they would expect to, but that’s fine. They would make sure, obviously, that William and Kate weren’t there at the same time.
“[Charles] has a private secretary and other staff to deal with all of the details. They’d have them buttoned up as much as you can button them up.”
Archie was born in the U.K. in May 2019 and marked his seventh birthday earlier this month.
Before moving to the U.S. with his parents in 2020, he is thought to have spent significant time with his royal relatives.
Lilibet, meanwhile, was born in June 2021 after her family relocated to California.
Both children traveled to the U.K. in 2022 to celebrate the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, during which Lilibet is thought to have met the King for the first time.
Meghan and Harry also attended the Jubilee festivities which occurred two years after “Megxit,” with their exit from Britain reportedly stemming from tabloid pressure, a desire to safeguard their family, and an alleged absence of support from “The Firm.”