EXCLUSIVE: The Royal Family have chosen to enjoy the summer at Balmoral without the Sussexes present.
However, there might be a private meeting scheduled with King Charles once everyone else departs.
According to a well-placed source, the Sussexes have been left off the official guest list for the Firm’s August summit so that King Charles, 75, and Kate, Princess of Wales, 42, can enjoy family time following a difficult year.
“Harry and Meghan will not be joining the rest of the Royal Family in August,” said the source.
“The King is keen for it to be a happy family occasion which will see members of the Royal Family come together for just over a week to discuss plans for the future and to unwind.
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“The Sussexes will not be part of that meeting but may join the King at a later date when the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family have left.”
However, the source adds that despite the rest of the Royal Family opting for a quieter break this summer, King Charles is keen to build a better relationship with his grandchildren, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
“Charles really does want to build a better relationship with Archie and Lili and spend quality time with them,” said the source.
“So it’s possible that the Sussexes might go alone at the end of the summer just before the King returns to London, but it’s highly unlikely given the current tensions,” said the source.
“The most likely option is for the King to keep in contact with his grandchildren via Skype calls so that he doesn’t lose touch with what they’re getting up to.”
Since their departure from the Royal Family in 2020, dubbed Megxit, Harry and Meghan have made very few trips back to the UK, bringing their children over only once for the Platinum Jubilee.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are highly unlikely to attend Balmoral this summer (Image: Getty)
Meghan has not been seen in the UK – other than a changeover at Heathrow Airport en route to Kenya earlier this year – since Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral in September 2022, having chosen to skip the Coronation in May 2023.
While Harry appears willing to reconcile with his family, especially in light of the news that King Charles and Princess Kate are battling cancer, Meghan is said to harbour deeper reservations.
Prince Harry made a brief visit to London for a private meeting with King Charles in February after learning of his father’s cancer diagnosis. Their quick 30-minute encounter at Clarence House ignited hopes of more family time this year, but that wasn’t to be.Prince Harry arrived in London for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in May and despite being only a stone’s throw from his father at Buckingham Palace, there was no meeting scheduled.
Prince Harry told Good Morning America recently that he plans to return to the UK for work and is keen to see his father whenever possible.
The Sussexes are currently living in Montecito, California, having lost their UK residence at Frogmore Cottage last summer.
Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes have been approached for comment.
