King Charles III and Queen Camilla have welcomed Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, during a private family gathering at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
The meeting, described as a private family occasion, marked the first time King Charles has seen his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, in person in more than four years.
Prince Harry and Meghan had not visited the United Kingdom together since 2022, when they attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Although Prince Harry has participated in several events in the UK this week, Meghan and their children did not join him at any public engagements.
The family visit is seen as an important step amid years of strained relations following Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties and relocate in 2020.
Sources indicated that both King Charles and Prince Harry were eager to meet during the visit, with the King making time to spend with his grandchildren.
While the Sussex family met with the King and Queen, Prince William was in Windsor taking part in a charity polo match. There are currently no plans for the brothers to meet, as their relationship remains strained.
Earlier on Friday, Prince Harry attended activities in Birmingham to promote the upcoming Invictus Games, where he interacted with participants and took part in sports including pickleball and wheelchair rugby.
His visit to the UK had attracted widespread attention following legal proceedings involving Associated Newspapers, as well as uncertainty over Meghan and the children’s travel plans. There was also confusion regarding reports that Prince Harry would stay at Buckingham Palace, which were later dismissed.
Before hosting the family gathering, King Charles carried out official engagements in Oxfordshire, including the opening of a new building at the University of Oxford and attending the launch of a space initiative with astronaut Tim Peake. Earlier in the week, he also visited London Zoo with Queen Camilla.
