Prince Harry set to change tack as he 'hasn't given up Meghan, Archie and Lili UK hope'

A friend of Prince Harry claims the Duke has "not given up hope" of visiting the UK with his family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down as working royals in 2020, live in California with their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.

Harry is set for a solo four-day visit to the UK which will see him take part in an awards ceremony for a charity of which he is a long-standing patron, WellChild. The awards are on September 8 - the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death. The Duke's visit will be his longest stay back in Britain since the death of his grandmother in September 2022.

Meghan is not known to have visited the UK since then, while Archie and Lilibet haven't made the journey since June 2022 for the late Queen's platinum jubilee celebrations.

However, it is said Harry is keen on visiting the UK more often and with his family too.

A friend told The Sunday Times: "He's not given up hope on bringing his family back to the UK. He wants to be able to show his children where he grew up. He wants them to know their family here. He really would like to come back to the UK much more."

Harry was last seen in the UK in May, where he lost a long-running legal battle with the Home Office over changes to his security arrangements.

According to The Sunday Times, the Duke and his camp acknowledge that 'pressing the nuclear button' with the Government and courts was 'not the wisest idea'.

It is said the case cost Harry more than £1 million and he will now seek a quieter, under-the-radar approach.

The report added that those close to Harry say the Government should expect private "lobbying" from the prince on the matter to continue.

Reports have suggested that Harry could meet the King during his UK visit - the father and son have not seen each other since February 2024.

Images obtained in July by the Mail on Sunday showed senior aides to the King and Duke during a meeting in what is reported to be a step towards restoring the relationship between Harry and the Royal Family.

However, The Sunday Times reports that as of last weekend, no meeting between the pair had been scheduled.