royal family

Why Prince Harry still won't reunite with Prince William despite plans to bring Meghan Markle and their children to the UK


The relationship between the brothers has remained strained for years


Why Prince Harry still won't reunite with Prince William despite plans to bring Meghan Markle and their children to the UK© Max Mumby/Indigo
Daniel NeiraSenior Writer
JUNE 8, 2026 7:00 PM EDT

Prince Harry may be preparing for a return to the United Kingdom this summer, but according to a new report, one family reunion is not expected to happen.

The Duke of Sussex is reportedly planning to travel to England in July for promotional events tied to the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham next year. 

Prince Harry and Meghan celebrate Lilibet's 5th birthday with rare new photos: 'Dream girl'© Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan celebrate Lilibet's 5th birthday with rare new photos: 'Dream girl'

Sources told Page Six that Harry would like Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to join him for the trip, with hopes of spending time with King Charles III and strengthening the children's relationship with their grandfather.

However, while Harry is said to be interested in repairing some family ties, the publication reported that there is "no chance" of a meeting with his estranged brother, Prince William.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018© Getty Images
Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and now live in California with their two children.

The relationship between the brothers has remained strained for years and they have not been seen together publicly since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. 

William reportedly remains upset over Harry's memoir 'Spare,' in which the Duke of Sussex made a series of claims about both the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Meghan and Prince Harry are celebrating their youngest child© @meghan
Prince Harry is reportedly hoping to bring Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the UK during a planned summer visit.

The latest report comes just days after Harry was noticeably absent from the wedding of his cousin Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne, who married Harriet Sperling in Gloucestershire. 

According to reports, Harry was not invited to the celebration, as Harry and Peter have gradually drifted apart and have not spoken in several years. 

Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship has remained strained in the years following the release of Spare.© Mondadori Portfolio
Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship has remained strained in the years following the release of Spare.

Other royal insiders suggested that family members were eager to avoid any distractions that could overshadow the wedding, particularly given the attendance of Prince William, Kate Middleton, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie.

Harry reportedly believes William's influence may have played a role in his exclusion from the guest list. Despite the continued tensions, Harry is said to be hopeful about reconciliation with members of the royal family. A major reason behind his desire to bring Archie and Lilibet to Britain is the opportunity for them to spend more time with King Charles.

KING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 25:  (L-R) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2017 in King's Lynn, England.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)© Chris Jackson
Meghan Markle's return would mark her first visit to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.

That plan, however, continues to face a significant obstacle. Harry's ongoing dispute with the UK government over security arrangements remains unresolved. The Duke of Sussex has long argued that he does not feel comfortable bringing Meghan and their children to the UK without armed police protection.

Following the loss of a legal challenge regarding his security arrangements last year, Harry told the BBC, "I can't see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point."

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on the long Walk at Windsor Castle on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England. Crowds have gathered and tributes left at the gates of Windsor Castle to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September, 2022. (Photo by Kirsty O'Connor - WPA Pool/Getty Images)© WPA Pool
Once inseparable, Prince Harry and Prince William have remained estranged for several years.

He also addressed the ongoing family tensions, saying, "There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family." "I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious," he added, noting that security had "always been the sticking point."

Meghan's possible return would also be significant. If she joins Harry on the trip, it would mark her first visit to the United Kingdom since attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022. 

Harry and Meghan’s surprise Jordan trip amid royal crisis rivals Prince William and Princess Kate’s global role© Getty Images
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have spent limited time in the UK since their parents relocated to the United States.

The Duchess of Sussex has previously spoken publicly about the challenges she faced while living within the royal family and under intense media scrutiny.

For now, no official family reunion has been confirmed. While the Duke of Sussex continues to express hope for reconciliation, the prospect of repairing his relationship with Prince William appears as distant as ever.