Prince Harry will attend the Invictus Games countdown event at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham tomorrow alone, as his wife Meghan Markle and their children will not participate in any public engagements due to unresolved security concerns.
Security Fears Force Change of Plans
The Duke of Sussex arrived in Birmingham on Monday, July 9, 2026, ahead of the event marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in the city. Initially, the entire family—including Meghan, Prince Archie (7), and Princess Lilibet (5)—was expected to travel together. However, after failing to secure taxpayer-funded security, the decision was made for Harry to travel alone.
According to reports, an enhanced private security package has been arranged to allow Meghan and the children to visit the UK this week, but they will steer clear of any public appearances. This means the Duchess of Sussex will not be seen at the NEC event tomorrow.
First UK Visit in Four Years
If Meghan and the children do fly over, it will mark their first visit to the United Kingdom in four years. They were last in the country for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022, which was also the only time Lilibet—born in California—has been to the UK.
There had been speculation that the latter part of the trip might include a private visit to Althorp in Northamptonshire, the childhood home of Harry’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, to take the family to her grave. This could still happen, but no public events are planned.
Harry’s Solo Engagements in Birmingham
Prince Harry has already been active in Birmingham, visiting Birmingham Children’s Hospital on Monday to meet staff and children. He will continue his solo engagements tomorrow at the NEC, marking the countdown to the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014.
The decision for Meghan and the children to avoid public events underscores ongoing security disputes between the Sussexes and the UK government. The couple previously lost a legal battle over security arrangements after stepping down as senior royals in 2020.
