Prince Harry is reportedly ready to reset his relationship with the UK in a four-day visit this week – and holds out hope he can bring his family to stay in his home country once more.
This week will be his longest trip back to the UK since the death of Queen Elizabeth three years ago.
The Duke of Sussex will travel alone, following an unsuccessful battle with the Home Office over his level of security.
He has previously said he does not believe it is safe for the Duchess of Sussex, and their children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, to visit.
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Meghan Markle has not come to the UK since September 2022, while Archie and Lilibet last visited in June of that year. The Sussexes had travelled for the late Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
Now, sources close to Harry have said he has not given up hope on bringing his young family to the UK, the Times reported.
The newspaper said there was an acknowledgement by the prince and his camp that his battle with the British government and courts was unwise and he would now pursue a quieter, under-the-radar approach.
However, sources said the government should expect private ‘lobbying’ from Harry on the matter to continue.
A friend told The Times: ‘He’s not given up hope on bringing his family back to the UK. He wants to be able to show his children where he grew up. He wants them to know their family here. He really would like to come back to the UK much more.’
Will Prince Harry meet the King during his UK visit?
The prince’s friends said he was ‘going to have some fun’ during his visit this week, in which he will be championing children, young people, the military as well as his charities and patronages.
Tomorrow, on the third anniversary of his grandmother’s death, he will be at the WellChild Awards hosted in London. He is a patron of the charity which supports seriously ill children.
On Tuesday, he will attend an engagement focused on helping young people affected by violence.
On Wednesday and Thursday, he will attend private receptions and meetings with his other charities and patronages, including the Diana Award, the Invictus Foundation, and Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which supports bereaved military children.
It is unknown whether Harry’s ‘jam-packed’ itinerary will allow for him to meet the King.
Charles, 76, and Harry, 40, have not met since February 2024. The Duke flew to London for a 30-minute meeting with the King after he announced his cancer diagnosis.
He has previously said his father will not speak to him because of the drawn-out battle over his security arrangements, adding that he did not know how long his father had left and that he wanted ‘reconciliation’ with the Royal Family.
Friends of Harry’s told the Times: ‘He’s made it absolutely clear he wants a reconciliation with his family. It’s on them now.’
A friend of the King told the newspaper Harry believed Charles should have intervened in his security issues: ‘The water is still pretty chilly on that front.’
It is understood there is currently ‘no direct communication at all at the moment’ between father and son.
No attempt has yet been made to open lines of communication with his brother’s team either.
Harry’s engagements this week will clash with William and Kate on manoeuvres. A source close to Harry says: ‘At the end of the day, as he’s no longer a member of the institution, he doesn’t feel bound to de-conflict his diary with the institution.’
This weekend, the Prince and Princess of Wales have attended the Women’s Rugby World Cup matches – but to support different teams.
Prince William was spotted in the stands at the Sandy Park stadium in Exeter, showing his support for the Welsh women’s team in the final round of group stages of the tournament.
William is a patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, while Catherine is a patron of the English equivalent.
The Princess of Wales was seen at the match between England and Australia at Brighton and Hove Albion stadium.
Earlier this week, Kate debuted her new blonder hair at the Natural History Museum.
Her new look – a far cry from her traditionally glossy, dark hair – was first spotted in the car on the way to church last week.
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