Prince Harry is said to be reconsidering a plan to bring his wife, Meghan Markle, and children to Britain for a visit after his bid for security was knocked back.

The backtrack follows confirmation last week that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would head to Harry’s home country within days for public events to mark the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games.

Last Friday, they had confirmed they would visit from July 7-11, bringing children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, for the first time in nearly four years.

The trip was also reportedly to include a visit to the estate where Harry’s mother, Diana Princess of Wales, grew up and where she is buried on a private island. Harry was also said to be keen for his children to meet their grandfather, the King.

But reports in Britain at the weekend, say the British government’s decline of Harry’s security request has meant “plans to see family, friends and visit various charitable causes close to the Duke’s heart [were] pulled out from under their feet at the 11th hour”.

“He’s looking at every option to try and get the family here safely and keep them safe when they’re on the ground. If he can find a way to do that he will,” a source close to Harry told The Guardian.

“The hope is they can meet their grandfather, but there is no way that can happen if they are chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane. He won’t put his children through that.”

Harry and Meghan in London for the late queen’s platinum jubilee. Photo: Getty

The security decision was made by RAVEC (the Royal and VIP Executive Committee), an independent, government-appointed committee.

“The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security,” a government spokesperson said.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex live in California after quitting as senior working royals in 2020. Their whole family was last in Britain in 2022 for the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Harry and Meghan lost their taxpayer-funded police protection when they moved to the US. He has repeatedly insisted he doesn’t feel it is safe to bring his family to Britain without that security.

People reported the couple has planned engagements for the Invictus Games Foundation and Harry’s charitable work. They include the prince attending an Invictus Games event in London, and private meetings with the Invictus Games Foundation at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

They will also visit Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, the primary venue for the 2027 Games and will officially launch the one-year countdown to the Birmingham event.

Harry will visit Birmingham Children’s Hospital to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the charity’s first WellChild Nurse. He is patron of WellChild.

Harry will also attend a festival as part of his role as global ambassador for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the charity that supports bereaved military children and young people.

He and Meghan had reportedly accepted an invitation to stay in royal residences for part of the trip.

Archie and Lilibet will not be involved in any public engagements.

Harry and William are thought to have not spoken in several years.

Buckingham Palace revealed earlier this month that the King – with whom Harry has a strained relationship – had offered the couple accommodation on a royal estate.

Reports suggest Buckingham Palace is among the residences being considered because it has extensive security arrangements. Harry has previously refused offers to stay there while in Britain, but is understood to have said yes this time.

“[Harry] was determined to travel back to the UK with his family around the Invictus event. So he has finally made the decision to accept the offer of staying at a royal residence, which he believes will be sufficient for this trip,” a source told British media.

Other possibilities are understood to include St James’s Palace, Windsor Castle and Frogmore Cottage, Harry and Meghan’s former British home.

In May 2025, Harry told the BBC he hoped for a reconciliation with relatives following years of public disagreements and legal disputes surrounding his security arrangements in Britain.

According to reports, an arrangement has been reached that will allow the King to spend rare time with Archie and Lilibet during the visit.

Harry isn’t expected to meet his older brother, Prince William. Reports suggest the pair have not spoken since the funeral of the late queen in 2022.

-with AAP