Harry returning to UK with Meghan, Archie & Lilibet is astonishing when she’s made life so tense for King, expert says
PRINCE Harry’s return to the UK with Meghan and their two children has been slammed by one royal expert as “astonishing”.
In a decision that has sparked controversy, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to fly to the UK in July to promote next year’s Invictus Games.
The Sussexes will travel from Montecito, California, to attend a one-year countdownparty for Prince Harry’s charitable initiative for wounded soldiers.
But Royal expert Jennie Bond told The Sun that the decision marks an “extraordinary turn of events” and the “huge question now is if the King will see them”.
“Now I can’t believe he will not. It will be absolutely damning if the King can’t find the time in his diary to see his grandchildren, who he hasn’t seen for four years.
“Should they all meet up, it will be interesting to see if it will aid to help in bridging any family feuds.”
The Sun reported in January that the Duchess, 44, was plotting to visit Britain for the first time in four years this summer.
And while Bond says she thinks it’s likely His Majesty will see his grandchildren, she says “the question is whether Charles will see Meghan”.
She said: “We know that the pair used to get along very well, he offered to walk her half way down the aisle on her wedding day, and they share similar tastes in literature and music.
“So it is not that he doesn’t get on with Meghan, but some of the things she has done have made things quite tense.
“The King will be wary in how he acts to avoid offending his other son William.”
Relations between Harry and the Royal Family have been strained since he and Meghan quit royal duties in 2020 and moved to California.
And experts have blasted their potential return as an act of desperation, saying Prince William will be “furious” at the decision.
Bond added: “Ultimately, I think it is a parent’s job to be the bigger person and forgive, and I think, and hope, this is what we will see Charles do next month. If not, it will be a whole different story from the joyful reunion.”
Prince Harry would reportedly “love” Archie and Lilibet to see the Royal Family and “show them the UK” if they visit for the Invictus Games.
A source close to the Duke of Sussex has revealed how much he wants his children to experience life in Britain and spend time with their relatives.
The Duke is said to be increasingly keen to spend more time with his father who is continuing cancer treatment.
In 2022 a Royal source said Prince Charles had a “very emotional” first meeting with Lilibet during the Platinum Jubilee.
The King was said to be “absolutely thrilled” by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit with their daughter and son Archie, the source added.
The insider added it was also “very, very special” for Prince Charles to spend time with his grandson, Archie.
Last year, Harry and the King held a brief reunion at Clarence House when the Duke returned to Britain.
Bond continued to say that “most reasonable people would want to see an old King reunited with his estranged son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.
“Those little children deserve to know more about their wonderful heritage, and to meet their family,” she said.
“It will be heartbreaking for the King not to see his grandchildren, the King is a sentimental old thing after all, but the Sussexes return does pose problems that will need to be managed.”
Bond also said she simply did not think their visit was on the cards, “partly because of the security situation”.
“So I think it is fair to assume Harry has been given assurances that satisfy him, while we await an outcome of his appeal,” she added.
The Duke has repeatedly said concerns about his family’s safety have stopped him bringing Meghan, Archie and Lilibet back to Britain.
Last year Harry lost his multimillion-pound legal fight to restore taxpayer-funded police protection when visiting the UK.
But a Royal source has told The Sun that conditions – whatever they may be – for a safe return have been met.
Harry has travelled back to the UK several times since stepping down as a working royal, but Meghan and the children have rarely joined him.
The Sussexes last visited Britain together with Archie and Lilibet during celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II‘s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
