King Charles could be reunited with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet next month, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex set to make their first family visit since 2022. The couple, who now live in California, are travelling back to Britain so Harry can attend the one-year countdown event for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
The King has reportedly offered his son and daughter-in-law a royal residence to stay at during their visit, with the length of the trip unknown. As his grandchildren are being raised in the US, the 77-year-old has not seen Archie and Lilibet since their last visit to the UK in June 2022 – with speculation growing over whether he will hold a private meeting next month.
As well as a meeting, it has been speculated whether the public will finally get to see a picture of the King with his two youngest grandchildren – with the opportunity now deemed as the “ultimate money shot”.
Writing in a recent article for The Times, royal expert Kate Mansey said: Picture the scene: the King smiles for the camera as he sits on a sofa by two beautiful children.
“At first glance, the little ones are not immediately recognisable. Then, on closer inspection, the family resemblance becomes apparent, the red hair from their father, the Duke of Sussex, revealing that they are Charles’s grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”
She then added: “It’s an image that would surely go viral, pinging on smartphones around the world.
“…For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it would be the ultimate money shot. The next twist in the saga that has launched them onto streaming platforms in the US, where their currency remains forever linked to their royal titles.”
As reported by GB News, whilst no meeting between the King and his grandchildren has been confirmed for next month, Buckingham Palace officials are said to want to keep any potential meeting behind closed doors. Back in 2022, the Sussexes were reportedly keen for the late monarch to appear in a photograph with Archie and Lilibet.
It was the late Queen’s first – and final – meeting with her namesake great-granddaughter.
This request was reportedly denied by the late Queen due to risks that the photos would be made public.