King Charles Finally Meets Archie and Lilibet After 4 Years in Private Highgrove Reunion
The King and the Queen hosted Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children at Highgrove on July 10.
The long-awaited royal reunion has finally happened. King Charles finally met his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after four years. The King and the Queen hosted Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children at Highgrove on July 10.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that the private family gathering took place at the King's residence in Gloucestershire. The location was a convenient choice, as Charles had been carrying out official engagements nearby in Oxfordshire, while Harry had been in Birmingham for the one-year countdown event ahead of the 2027 Invictus Games.
The family has chosen to keep the reunion out of the public eye, with no photographs or additional information expected to be released. PEOPLE reported that Markle traveled from her European holiday with Archie and Lilibet to join Harry for the private gathering. The visit was especially significant as it gave Charles the chance to see his grandchildren in person for the first time since Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
Before the Duke returned to Britain, he, Markle, and their children had been spending time together on a family vacation in Europe. Harry flew to the U.K. alone on July 6 to attend a number of charity engagements, including the one-year-to-go celebration for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
The original plan was for Markle, along with Archie and Lilibet, to join him in the U.K., but after they were denied state-funded security, the planned visit became highly unlikely. On July 9, it was reported that they would indeed make the trip to the U.K. However, they are not expected to take part in any public engagements.
Before their meeting, Harry and Charles were busy with separate engagements on Friday. Harry spent time trying out some of the sports that will feature at the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, while the King was carrying out an official visit in Oxfordshire. Both wrapped up their events before heading to Highgrove House, where the family came together.
Prince William did not appear to be part of the private reunion. Instead, the Prince of Wales spent Friday at a charity polo match in Windsor, with Kate Middleton there to support him. There are no signs so far that the estranged brothers will reunite during Harry’s visit to the U.K.
The last time Charles and Camilla spent time with Archie and Lilibet was during the Sussexes' 2022 visit to the U.K. It was also the first time Charles met Lilibet, who was born after Harry and Meghan moved to California in 2020. As for the father and son, they last met during Harry's visit to the U.K. in September 2025 at Clarence House.
