Meghan’s return to UK with Archie and Lilibet to be decided at ‘last minute’ as security row continues
MEGHAN’S return with Archie and Lilibet to the UK next week will be decided at the “last minute” as the Sussexes security row continues.
Harry will jet back to carry out a full itinerary announced last week which runs alongside a packed list of engagements for the King, Queen and William, despite losing a bid for extra taxpayer-funded security.
But whether he is joined by his wife and kids could go down to the wire as sources close to the California-based Duke admit his security team is just “still looking at options” to make the visit work in “some form”.
He wants to bring Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, to meet their grandfather King Charles for the first time in four years.
The Sussexes are currently staying at a mystery location in Europe meaning Harry, Meghan and their children could jet in and out for parts of the trip.
Behind palace walls the “will they, won’t they” drama of the Sussex return is said to be causing frustration with sources saying they are “wary and weary”, The Sun can reveal.
Last week a Sussex spokesman confirmed Harry planned to bring his wife and children to the UK and issued an embargoed list of engagements.
But 24 hours later The Sun revealed he will not receive any extra security protection sparking Harry to reassess whether he could bring his family at all.
The King has offered the Sussexes a royal home – believed to be Buckingham Palace which comes with existing security – but despite issuing assurances they would accept it is not believed the offer has been formally agreed.
It is not yet known exactly when or if Harry will meet his father or bring his children Archie and Lilibet to see their grandfather.
But at one stage in the royal diaries Harry and his dad will be just half a mile apart while they criss-cross the country for engagements.
The Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales are also set to be carrying out a string of jobs next week.
Speaking on The Sun’s show Royal Exclusive this week TV host Mark Dolan described the ongoing drama over bringing the Archie and Lilibet to meet their grandfather King Charles as “classic Sussex”.
He said: “Why would they say they are coming then potentially not? That’s a bear trap. It’s what they do.
“The bottom line is, it’s gone from a good news story and what Harry and Meghan have done, they are very self-destructive, they have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.”
He added: “I believe that Meghan is pathologically transactional and I think this trip is strategic for her and I think it’s emotional and nostalgic for Harry which I think is a big tension within the marriage.”
Bronte Coy, royal reporter for news.com.au, told the show: “(The trip) is confirmed until it’s not. But with that said, it is already a disaster now, no matter what happens.
“We’re days away from their planned arrival and it is now a disaster.
“And the thing is Harry, this is the part that staggers me, he has played so clearly into the hands of his biggest critics.
“Because all that they are ever accused of by people is, this emotional blackmail, there is a circus around you, everything has to be very dramatic it’s a soap opera; whether you believe that or not the optics are, what is this, it’s exactly what it looks like.”
King Charles has not seen his grandchildren Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, since June 2022 during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Harry has spent less than 90 minutes with his dad after jetting back for a breif chat when he was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and having a short audience at Clarence House last September.
