Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to return to the United Kingdom with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet for the first time since 2022, and a new report suggests the family could stay at one of the places most closely connected to Princess Diana.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to travel to Britain in July, when Harry attends events marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
While plans for the family’s accommodation have not been confirmed, speculation has centered on Althorp House, the Spencer family estate where Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, grew up and is buried.
Why Althorp is attracting attention
Interest in Althorp House increased after the estate announced it would be closed to visitors on July 10 and 11, dates that coincide with Harry’s scheduled appearances connected to the Invictus Games.
Located around an hour from Birmingham, the historic estate has long been a place of personal significance for Harry. It is owned by his uncle, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, and is also the resting place of Princess Diana.
The potential visit would come just days after what would have been Diana’s birthday on July 1, making the timing especially meaningful for the Duke of Sussex and his family.
Neither Prince Harry nor Meghan Markle has commented publicly on reports that they could visit or stay at the estate.
King Charles has reportedly made an offer
According to reports, King Charles has once again offered accommodation to Harry, Meghan and their children at a royal residence during their visit.
Similar offers have reportedly been made during previous trips to Britain, although Harry has declined them in the past.
Any accommodation on a royal estate would not automatically include additional security, however. Decisions regarding police protection are made by the U.K. Home Office, not the King.
Security has remained one of the biggest obstacles to Harry bringing his family back to Britain since he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and lost taxpayer-funded police protection.
Harry has spoken openly about safety concerns
Prince Harry has repeatedly said he wants Archie and Lilibet to feel connected to the United Kingdom but believes they need appropriate security for that to happen.
During previous legal proceedings, Harry described Britain as an important part of his children’s heritage and said he wanted them to feel at home there.
He has also spoken publicly about wanting reconciliation with his family while acknowledging that disagreements over security have strained relationships in recent years.
A meaningful return for the Sussex family
If the visit goes ahead, it would mark the first time Archie and Lilibet have returned to Britain since attending events surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
For Harry, a visit to Althorp would carry particular emotional significance.
In his memoir Spare, he described taking Meghan to Princess Diana’s gravesite for the first time, writing about the deeply personal moment they shared as they paid tribute to his late mother.
Whether the Sussexes ultimately stay at Althorp, a royal residence or another location remains unknown, but the trip is expected to be one of the family’s most closely watched visits to the U.K. in years.
