Meghan Markle may be preparing to return to the United Kingdom for the first time in four years, with plans to attend a major Invictus Games event alongside Prince Harry later this year. The proposed visit would take place in Birmingham and is tied to a one-year countdown celebration for the 2027 Invictus Games scheduled for July 10.
The Duchess of Sussex’s return, however, hinges on one crucial condition: security. Sources say Meghan will only travel if enhanced protection arrangements are approved for the couple. Prince Harry has been locked in a long-running battle to regain taxpayer-funded armed security, a privilege that was withdrawn after he stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to the United States.
A decision on the matter is expected soon, as the request is currently under review by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, which includes police, royal household representatives and government officials. Until a favourable outcome is confirmed, Meghan is not expected to make the trip.
If the visit goes ahead, it would mark her first appearance in Britain since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022. Plans for the Birmingham event are said to be well advanced, forming part of a wider summer programme aimed at promoting the Invictus Games, the international sporting competition for wounded and injured service personnel founded by Prince Harry.
Meghan has remained actively involved with the Invictus Games despite stepping away from royal life. She has attended similar countdown events in Canada and Germany, joined Harry at promotional appearances, met competitors in training, and travelled internationally in support of the foundation, including a visit to Nigeria in 2024.
Prince Harry has repeatedly stated that he does not feel it is safe to bring his family to the UK without proper protection. Following the loss of a High Court challenge over security arrangements, he criticised the decision and maintained that safety concerns remain unresolved.
It is still unclear whether the couple’s children, Archie and Lilibet, would accompany them if the visit goes ahead. The children have not been in the UK since June 2022, when the family attended Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
Meghan has previously spoken about the emotional strain caused by extended time away from her children, admitting that long separations have been difficult for her. Whether the long-anticipated UK return will happen now depends entirely on the outcome of the security decision.
