Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Might Ditch Balmoral for a More Sentimental Residence During UK Visit
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were touted to stay at Balmoral for a royal reunion but that might not be in the cards after all.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to visit the UK in July to mark the 100-day countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. However, the visit might not be as simple or as uncomplicated as its purpose. With a royal reunion on the cards, King Charles had reportedly offered a royal residence to the family of four to stay at. It was suspected that Balmoral would host the much-awaited reconciliation. However, new reports suggest that happy tears possibly won’t be shed at the Scottish castle at all. In fact, the Sussexes might not even stay there.
Princess Diana’s childhood home, Althorp House, opens for two months every year, from her birth anniversary, July 1st, to August 31st, for fans to visit the beloved princess’s family seat. This year, however, the property will remain closed on July 10th and 11th, suspiciously coinciding with Harry and Markle’s visit to the UK. It is believed that Harry, who had previously stayed at Althorp during his visits to his home country, will choose to stay at his mother’s childhood home instead.
If he decides to ditch Balmoral, it will be shocking, considering he had earlier expressed his wish to reconcile with his father and family. However, choosing to stay at Althorp instead of Balmoral would be a rejection of the olive branch that Charles has reportedly extended towards the Sussexes. However, for practical reasons, Althorp is much closer to Birmingham than the Scottish castle, and this would likely be the first time that his kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will be able to see their grandmother’s resting place.
Despite the rift with the royal family, the Spencers seemingly share a good bond with Harry and Markle. In 2024, the Duke of Sussex stayed at Althorp when he visited the UK to attend Lord Robert Fellowes’ funeral, which was also attended by his older brother, Prince William. But as per reports, the duo didn’t speak to each other.
Over the years, Harry has talked a lot about his mother. In his memoir, Spare, he detailed the first time he took Markle to visit Diana’s grave. “No visit to this place was ever easy, but this one... Twenty-fifth anniversary. And Meg's first time. At long last, I was bringing the girl of my dreams home to meet mum. “ We hesitated, hugging, and then I went first,” he wrote, as per GB News. “I placed flowers on the grave.” Meg gave me a moment, and I spoke to my mother in my head, told her I missed her, and asked her for guidance and clarity.”
As per reports, Harry and Markle might have two equally sentimental residential options to choose from when they visit the UK next month. One is Diana’s childhood home, and the other is where Harry spent beautiful summers with his family, and where he reportedly first learned about his mother’s tragic demise.
