Prince Harry’s UK visit has taken another dramatic turn, as the Duke of Sussex used his Invictus Games appearance in Birmingham to call for greater “national resilience” while fresh reports suggested Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet could join him in Britain this weekend.
The Duke was at the National Exhibition Centre for the “One Year To Go” countdown to the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, an event Meghan had previously been expected to attend. Instead, Harry appeared solo, throwing himself into a day of sport, laughter and emotional conversations around the veterans’ competition he founded in 2014.
Prince Harry embraced TV star Alison Hammond as he marks one year until the Invictus Games in Birmingham. Meghan Markle had planned to attend
The Duke of Sussex is greeted by Alison Hammond, during a visit to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC)
The Duke of Sussex took on the This Morning presenter in a laser gun event
Harry, Alison and JJ Chalmers also did a running race around the NEC
Prince Harry takes part in a pickleball match during an event to mark the ‘Invictus Games Birmingham 2027: One Year To Go’, at the NEC in Birmingham today
Harry celebrates during some wheelchair rugby
Harry posed for selfies at today’s event
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning with Alison Hammond, Harry said Invictus competitors had shown how trauma, disability and loss could be turned into strength. He said Britain and the wider world now needed to grow that same spirit of resilience, describing the Games as a powerful example of how people can rebuild their lives after adversity.
The interview also brought a rare personal moment. When Alison told Harry that Meghan and the children must be proud of him, the Duke smiled and said they do not tell him every day, but added that he is proud of them, they are proud of him, and he loves his family.
Harry and Alison hatched a plan to watch the football later, which Harry called ‘soccer’ before apologising
Harry participates in Wheelchair Rugby during the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, One Year To Go Event at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham
Harry was clearly enjoying himself, cheering on a fine shot in the match
The Duke of Sussex also feigned being over competitive about the match, jokingly berating a teammate and also made everyone laugh by refusing to shake an opponent’s hand
Harry is towards the end of a five-day trip to the UK
It has been reported Meghan could make her first return to the UK since 2022, accompanied by her children Prince Archie, seven, and five-year-old Lilibet, in time for the weekend – but will not be seen in public
That remark landed as speculation intensified over whether Meghan, Archie and Lilibet may travel to the UK before the end of Harry’s five-day visit. Reports suggest the Duchess and the children are not expected to take part in any public engagements, but could come privately, potentially opening the door to a long-awaited reunion with King Charles.
The timing has only fuelled the intrigue. King Charles carried out official duties in Oxford, around 50 miles from Althorp, the Spencer family estate where the Sussexes have reportedly been considering staying. Althorp also holds deep emotional significance for Harry, as it is the ancestral home of his late mother, Princess Diana, who is buried there on a secluded island.
If a meeting with the King does happen, it would be one of the most closely watched private royal moments in years. Charles has not publicly been seen with Archie and Lilibet for a long time, and the possibility of the monarch seeing his California-based grandchildren has become one of the biggest talking points around Harry’s visit.
Still, there are complications. Meghan did not travel with Harry earlier in the week due to security concerns, and the continuing dispute over taxpayer-funded armed police protection has remained a major obstacle. Harry has made clear he does not believe London is safe for his family without the level of protection he wants.
Away from the family speculation, Harry appeared relaxed and playful during the Birmingham event. He joined in pickleball, wheelchair rugby and laser tag, joking with Alison Hammond and even correcting himself after referring to England’s World Cup match as “soccer” before quickly switching back to “football”.
He also spoke about why Birmingham matters to the Invictus community, noting its connection to many wounded soldiers who returned through the city after Afghanistan. For Harry, the 2027 Games represent both a sporting milestone and an emotional homecoming for veterans, service personnel and their families.
Yet despite the upbeat scenes, the wider royal drama remains impossible to ignore. Harry’s trip comes days after his High Court defeat against the publisher of the Daily Mail, as well as ongoing uncertainty over where he is staying, whether Meghan and the children will appear in Britain, and whether father and son will meet behind closed doors.
For now, Harry’s message is one of resilience. But the bigger question hanging over the visit is whether that same resilience can extend to the fractured royal family — and whether this weekend could finally bring the private reunion many royal watchers have been waiting for.
