Meghan Markle fears for children’s safety ahead of Prince Harry’s UK trip

Prince Harry is set to return to the UK in a matter of weeks, but Meghan Markle is said to be having second thoughts about joining him over one major concern.

Prince Harry is looking to bring his wife Meghan Markle and their children Archie and Lilibet on his trip to the UK next month, but under one condition.

The Duke of Sussex is scheduled to return to London to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games with a service St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8.

According to an insider, the Sussexes had been planning to travel to the UK on May 7 and stay in a secret location as they spend some time with their extended family before returning to California.

“Harry and Meghan are planning a fifth birthday party for Archie at their Montecito home on May 6 and were then going to fly over to the UK on a private jet the following day,” the source said.

“Harry would love for Archie and Lilibet to have a better relationship with their cousins or even the children of some of his friends. He feels like they have been away from the UK for far too long and wants to start building a life here. Not full-time, but a second home they can visit regularly.”

Meghan Markle is reportedly having second thoughts about her family’s upcoming UK visit due to concerns over her children's safety. Picture: Getty Images

“They were going to attend the Anniversary Service, followed by a few more days in the UK so the children could meet with members of Harry’s family.”

However, with Harry recently losing his legal battle with the UK Home Office over the withdrawal of his state-funded police protection, and despite plans to appeal the decision, sources say he doesn’t want to rely on such little level of security if he brings his family.

“It’s now got to the point where Meghan doesn’t want to come to the UK with the children. She just doesn’t feel safe,” the source said.

“The situation is now about whether the family should attend with increased security or Harry should go it alone.”

The Duke of Sussex is scheduled to return to London to mark the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games with a service St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8.

Royals expert Richard Fitzwilliams has warned that if Meghan does decide to join her husband on the trip, that she is unlikely to receive a cordial welcome.

“If she comes there will be a huge amount of adverse publicity because of the way she has acted for the past four years,” Mr Fitzwilliams told The Sun.

Harry’s visit will be his first time since the Princess of Wales revealed she is receiving preventive chemotherapy for cancer.

“Serious illness is the big changer. Despite everything that’s happened, given the seriousness of the situation, anything can happen,” Mr Fitzwilliams said.

“There could be something that surprises us all. You could have all the Sussexes over here, it’s perfectly possible a reunion could happen.”

Meghan Markle has not been to the UK since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

The Duchess of Sussex has not been back to the UK since September 2022, when she attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II alongside the rest of the royals.

Meanwhile, their daughter Lilibet has only visited Britain when she was born in June 2021 and her parents brought her over to meet the late Queen Elizabeth for the first and only time at the Platinum Jubilee.

The Duchess and Duke of Edinburgh taking part to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale. Picture: Getty Images

Sophie and husband Edward represented King Charles III as he continues receiving cancer treatment. Picture: Getty Images

Harry may also be attending the British Book Awards on May 13, where his memoir Spare is up for two top gongs, and is also planning a “surprise” gesture in a bid to reconcile with his brother Prince William during on the trip.

It comes as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have stepped up their duties while King Charles continues his cancer treatment.

Duchess Sophie joined her husband Prince Edward to celebrate Anglo-French relations at a ceremony marking the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh represented the King as they inspected UK and French troops on Buckingham Palace’s forecourt during the event highlighting ties between the two nations.