Prince Harry has been seen smiling and playing with his supporters in the UK – but so far, he hasn’t been joined by his wife, Meghan Markle.
The Duke of Sussex, 41, traveled to his native country this week for a series of events marking the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, an adaptive sporting competition for service personnel and veterans.
Initially, he was due to be accompanied by his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, 44, and their two children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, but the family changed plans due to security concerns.
While some reports have claimed that Meghan and the couple’s children might skip their UK visit altogether, according to others the family is joining Harry this weekend but not taking part in public events.
Today, July 10, Harry was all smiles as he participated in activities ahead of the Invictus Games, which he founded back in 2014.
Harry was greeted by British TV presenter Alison Hammond (Image: Getty)
At one point, he was greeted by TV presenter Alison Hammond, 51, with the pair hugging during the event at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England.
Harry and Alison had a laser shootout, and the prince also tried his hand at pickleball while competitors and supporters watched on.
During the event, Harry watched a showcase of the games which will be played at Invictus next year.
The father-of-two, who is the younger son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, founded the Games for injured military veterans – a cause close to Harry’s heart.
Harry helps a competitor back on his wheelchair (Image: Getty)
Harry has returned to the UK on several occasions since stepping back from royal life, but the last times the Sussexes visited the country together was in September 2022 for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
So far, there are no plans for a reunion between Harry and Charles during the UK visit, but the pair have reunited before during Harry’s similar trips.
On September 10, 2025, the pair marked their first in-person meeting in 19 months with a private 55-minute conversation at the King’s London residence, while Harry was in the UK for the Wellchild Awards and Invictus Games events.
The Duke of Sussex was seen smiling during the event (Image: Getty)
Ahead of the visit, when it was believed that Meghan would join Harry at the Invictus event, former royal butler Grant Harrold said the mending of relations is a two-way street and that Harry and Meghan will have to put in most of the effort.
Speaking exclusively to Action Network, Harrold, who worked for King Charles between 2004 and 2011 and also served William, Kate, and Harry, said, “Meghan and Harry need to be more diplomatic than they’ve been in a long time during this trip to the UK.
“They will have to conduct themselves very carefully as all eyes are on them. It’s a vital trip in terms of family relations, and a step wrong could cause chaos.”
He also tried some sports (Image: Getty)
Harrold added, “Apart from the Invictus Games event, they shouldn’t undertake any public engagements – especially not any paid or PR events.
“Maybe if there is an event they were tied to before quitting the royal family, but I wouldn’t see this as a PR opportunity or a chance to push the Harry and Meghan brand.
“Rather, I would see it as an opportunity to promote the Invictus Games together and showing support for that cause, while focusing on family time and rebuilding the relationship with the King.”
The royal expert admitted, “I think it’s highly unlikely that they will reunite with William and Kate, but that should be the end goal that this is step towards.”
Harrold concluded, “Family should be the main focus. Looking for opportunities to promote themselves or enhance the brand while they’re here is not such a good idea. I think it would go down really badly, both with the family and with the public.”
Harrold previously told The Express US that he doesn’t think William and Harry, or their wives, would extend any olive branch to one another during the visit.
If William and Kate were to make a “gesture of goodwill” toward Harry and Meghan upon their return to the UK, it would be to take the “higher ground.” But they likely won’t, he said.
The prince was seen talking to his supporters (Image: Getty)
Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Harrold told The Express US, “If William and Kate were to do something as a gesture of goodwill, it would be taking the higher ground, which I imagine they don’t want to do.”
He added, “The only gesture I can imagine is a dinner or a lunch, which is most likely to be held by the King; it isn’t something William and Kate would host.
“The gesture would be for all four of them to turn up. Ultimately, it would come down to whether the brothers want to see each other and will accept the invitation.”
Harrold continued, “I don’t think a gesture will come from Harry and Meghan either. Their coming over to the UK is their way of taking a step, but I don’t see them doing anything else to build the bridge.”
He concluded, “But the time is going to be very difficult because there hasn’t been a reunion in so many ears, so it will be an interesting time for everyone.”