The Queen invites Harry and Meghan to stay at Balmoral amid tension

The Queen has made an unexpected offer to Meghan and Harry as the couple’s tense battle with the royal family continues.

The Queen has held out an olive branch to Harry and Meghan by inviting them to Balmoral during her summer break.

Her offer could see the US-based Sussexes stay with her briefly when other senior royals are not about.

Her Majesty, 96, arrived in the Highlands on Thursday and is set to stay for ten weeks at seven-bed Craigowan Lodge.

A Balmoral insider said: “Staff have been told to expect the full list of royals including Harry, Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet.

“They are preparing for the Sussexes.”

The Queen is said to have extended an invitation for Harry, Meghan and the kids to stay. Picture: Getty Images.

Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, quit the UK in spring 2020 and have not been to the Highlands to see the Queen since 2018.

They visited Britain for June’s Platinum Jubilee but did not stay long and were kept in the background for the Buckingham Palace balcony appearance.

Another insider said: “Balmoral is the perfect place for them to spend a little bit of quality time with the Queen.

“They barely had 15 minutes with her at the jubilee.”

But another source told The Sun on Sunday: “I would be stunned if they did turn up.”

Harry and Meghan, whose relations with senior royals, including Prince William are strained, secretly visited Prince Charles and the Queen when they stopped off on the way to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games in April.

The Queen arrived in Balmoral last week. Picture: AFP.

Insiders say the Queen is hoping for some ‘quality time’ with the Sussex family. Picture: Getty Images.

Harry and Meghan only met with the Queen briefly in June. Picture: Getty Images.

They introduced Lilibet to the Queen during the Platinum Jubilee.

A ring of steel has been set up around Craigowan Lodge while a new $35,000 wheelchair-friendly lift will help the Queen with her mobility problems.

She likes to spend her Balmoral break surrounded by her family who take turns to visit.

Last year Kate and William came with their children George, Charlotte and Louis.

Edward and Sophie also visited with Lady Louise and Viscount James.

Prince Andrew hid on the 50,000-acre estate for many weeks while US lawyers attempted to serve his sex abuse writ.

The Queen and Prince Philip also used to host family barbecues there.

She named her lockdown corgi “Muick” after the beauty spot of the same name at Balmoral.

Princess Eugenie has said: “It’s the most beautiful place on earth.

“I think Granny is the most happy there.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and has been reproduced here with permission