Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will not accompany Prince Harry on his trip to London next week, according to sources close to the family. No decision has been made on whether the Duke of Sussex’s wife and children will join him for the remainder of his five-day visit to the UK, it is understood.
Harry's determination to bring family to UK
This development comes despite Prince Harry stating he was “determined” to bring his family to Britain safely this month. His request for taxpayer-funded police protection was denied, prompting him to seek alternative security arrangements. The family had hoped to travel at the start of July to attend celebrations marking the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Security downgrade after stepping down as working royal
Prince Harry lost a legal battle with the UK government last year over his security. The level of protection he was offered was downgraded after he stepped down from his role as a working royal and moved to the United States in 2020. A government spokesperson previously said: “The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”
Impact on Invictus Games countdown
The absence of Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet from the London trip means they will miss the Invictus Games countdown event in Birmingham, which Harry is expected to attend. The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, are an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, with the next edition scheduled for 2027 in Birmingham.
