After six years of being estranged from the royal family, the Sussex family plans to visit the U.K. next month in an attempt to reunite with King Charles III. While Harry has been back in the U.K. several times over the years, Megan Markle‘s last visit was in 2022 for the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. Markle’s potential presence at the upcoming reunion “changes the stakes,” according to Amanda Matta, per Page Six.
“Meghan’s presence would certainly add symbolic weight to any reunion,” Matta continued. “If Meghan accompanies Harry to the UK or to a meeting with his family, it would signal to the public that any effort at rebuilding relationships extends to the Sussex family as a whole.”
While Markle’s presence at the union has not been confirmed, royal commentators cannot help but anticipate the result. Markle’s relationship with the king has always been distinct from Harry’s, according to Mattas.
“Historically, there have been indications that Charles made efforts to welcome her into the family, but she has taken a step back in recent years,” she explained. “I see that as an acknowledgment that the Sussexes’ ongoing tensions with the royals actually stem from Harry and his own family.”
While Markle did not grow up royal, Harry has continually felt the burden of royal life. Mattas said, “The issues he has raised, of press intrusion and an emotionally stifling palace environment, existed and were eating away at Harry before he even met Meghan.”
Harry shared his experience as a royal in his memoir “Spare,” published in 2023, after resigning from their royal duties and moving to California in 2020.
Harry shared that he hopes to reconcile with his father, King Charles, as he does not know how much time he has left. This is likely referring to the King’s recent cancer diagnosis.
The couple reportedly plans on bringing their two children, Archie and Lilibet, on the trip.
While King Charles and Prince Harry are working towards making amends, Harry and his older brother, Prince William, are still estranged.