Prince Harry could be accompanied in the UK by Meghan Markle and the couple’s two children before the weekend is over.
Meghan, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are not thought likely to take part in any public appearances, though discussions over a possible meeting with King Charles are said to be continuing.
The Duchess of Sussex had reportedly hoped to be in Birmingham today to support Harry at an Invictus Games event, but she is now not expected to attend.
The Duke of Sussex visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital yesterday, meeting seriously ill youngsters and nursing staff as his five-day visit to Britain carried on.
During the visit, Harry toured hospital wards while marking 20 years of the WellChild Nurse programme, a charity initiative he has supported as patron for 18 years.
Harry, who arrived in London on Monday, has so far travelled without Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, amid an ongoing dispute over security arrangements.
Reports last night suggested the Duchess of Sussex and the children may still travel to the UK this weekend, although they are not expected to be present at any public events.
Should the Sussexes stay, as anticipated, at Althorp — the ancestral seat of Harry’s maternal relatives, the Spencer family — any reunion with King Charles may not happen until the weekend, or even Monday, before the monarch begins another packed run of official engagements.
Highgrove, Sandringham or Windsor could be a venue, as Harry has made clear he won’t bring his family to London because he is convinced it is ‘unsafe’.
Prince Harry, Patron of WellChild, meeting patient Alec Hill, 12, who has a rare chromosomal condition, meeting in Birmingham yesterday
Harry greets a child as he leaves the Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Harry’s visit to the UK is part of the ‘One Year to Go’ celebrations for the next Invictus Games in the city in July 2027.
On Wednesday, he was also at the Royal Hospital Chelsea for meetings about the Invictus Games Foundation, including a summit for international team managers.
They spoke about plans for the Invictus Spirit Awards in the capital this September.
While Harry was in Birmingham, other members of the Royal Family carried on with a busy series of summer engagements – with the duke’s estranged brother Prince William travelling to Hastings on Thursday to meet a fishing community as well as local youth-led and community-driven organisations.
In Birmingham yesterday, Harry was surrounded by nurses when he visited the hospital and spoke about the ‘financial difficulties’ facing the NHS.
Harry was highlighting WellChild’s specialist nursing programme, helping seriously ill children and their families transition from the hospital to their homes.
His appearance caused excitement in the hospital corridors, with one female medic receiving a hug.
Families asked for pictures and the duke posed for a group shot with around a dozen nurses, telling them: ‘Thank you for everything you do.’
It has been reported Meghan could make her first return to the UK since 2022, accompanied by her children Prince Archie, seven, and five-year-old Lilibet, in time for the weekend – but will not be seen in public
Harry met two nurses funded by WellChild, which facilitates the early discharge of children by teaching their parents the skills needed to provide care at home, and met some of the young patients.
In a lighter moment the duke revealed his son’s love of toy building bricks when he shared stories with Alec Hill, 12, and his parents.
‘Do you know who’s obsessed with Lego? My son Archie – and he’s a master builder,’ said Harry.
Harry’s five-day visit to the UK, which moved to Birmingham yesterday, is part of the ‘One Year to Go’ celebrations for the next Invictus Games in the city in July 2027.
