Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s upcoming trip to the United Kingdom with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet is expected to include long-awaited family reunions, but royal experts aren’t convinced the Sussex children will be spending time with their royal cousins. According to royal commentators, lingering tensions between Prince Harry and Prince William may make a reunion between their children unlikely, despite hopes that relations within the family are slowly improving. The visit will mark the first time Archie and Lilibet have traveled to the UK since 2022.
Royal commentator Amanda Matta told Page Six there is currently “no indication” that Archie and Lilibet will reunite with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis during the visit.
“Even if relations are gradually improving, the Wales household likely has a full schedule already in place for the summer, and any reunion involving the cousins would require tons of planning and goodwill from all parties involved,” Matta explained.
The “Off With Their Heads” podcast host suggested that the ongoing strain between Harry, Meghan, William, and Kate Middleton remains a significant obstacle. “Particularly if Catherine were to be involved in any potential plans,” Matta added.
Royal reporter Emily Nash echoed a similar sentiment, saying she believes it is still too early to predict any family gathering involving the cousins. “I mean, you never know. If it was part of a wider family gathering, it’s possible they could be at the same place at the same time,” Nash said. “But, you know, given the very fractious nature of the relationship between William and Harry, I don’t see them rushing to spend time together just because Harry’s back in the UK.”
Prince William And Prince Harry’s Rift Remains The Biggest Hurdle
According to Nash, the central issue remains the fractured relationship between the brothers themselves. “I think that’s the sort of question for down the line,” she said when asked whether the princes want their children to know one another. “I think, fundamentally, you have two brothers here who were not speaking to one another. That is the key relationship that needs to be resolved, really, before anything else can happen.”
Despite the ongoing tensions, Nash believes both families likely hope their children will eventually have an opportunity to build relationships. “In any family, you would hope that cousins would have a chance to spend time together and grow up together, and I’m sure they don’t feel any differently,” she added.
King Charles Is Reportedly Focused On Seeing Archie And Lilibet
While a reunion between William and Harry appears uncertain, attention has shifted toward King Charles and the possibility of him spending time with his grandchildren. According to Nash, the monarch’s primary concern is likely reconnecting with Harry and finally seeing Archie and Lilibet again.
“I think he probably is just focused on his own moment of spending time with the son he’s not seen for a long time,” she said. “Especially potentially meeting his grandchildren … I’m sure that’s probably his primary focus right now.”
The visit is expected to mark the first time the children have returned to Britain in several years.
King Charles Has Reportedly Extended An Olive Branch
Reports of the family’s return come amid claims that King Charles has been working to rebuild his relationship with Harry. According to reports, Charles invited Harry, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet to stay at a royal residence during their visit. It has also been reported that the King offered assistance with security arrangements while they are in the country.
The issue of security has been a major sticking point for Harry in recent years, particularly after he lost his legal challenge regarding taxpayer-funded protection in the UK. For years, Harry has publicly expressed concerns about bringing Meghan and their children back to Britain without what he believes are adequate security measures.
Harry And Meghan Have Rarely Returned To The UK Since Leaving Royal Life
Since stepping back as senior working royals in 2020 and relocating to California, Harry and Meghan have only made a handful of trips to the UK with their children. Archie and Lilibet last visited Britain in June 2022 during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Meghan has not returned to the country since September 2022, when she accompanied Harry for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
The years since have been marked by growing tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family, fueled by a series of interviews, documentaries, and Harry’s memoir, “Spare.”
