Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may stay at Princess Diana's childhood home during UK visit

Althorp House's closure in July has sparked speculation that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may visit Princess Diana's burial site during their trip
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may bring Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the UK for the first time in four years during an Invictus Games visit (Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may bring Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the UK for the first time in four years during an Invictus Games visit (Getty Images)

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, ENGLAND: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to bring their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the United Kingdom for the first time in four years during a potential family visit next month.

The trip is expected to coincide with Prince Harry's engagements related to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, prompting speculation about where the family may stay during their time in Britain.

The potential visit comes as tensions between the couple and the royal family continue.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Wheelchair Curling on day one of the 2025 Invictus Games at the Hillcrest Community Centre on February 9, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Wheelchair Curling on day one of the 2025 Invictus Games at the Hillcrest Community Centre on February 9, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Prince Harry's visit may honor Princess Diana

Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet are believed to be accompanying their parents to the UK in July.

Prince Harry is expected to attend events marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, which are scheduled to take place from July 10 to July 17, 2027.

The timing has drawn attention to Althorp House, Princess Diana’s ancestral estate in West Northamptonshire, located about an hour from Birmingham.

The estate's website notes that it will be closed to visitors on July 10 and 11, fueling speculation that the family could visit or even stay at the Spencer family home.

Althorp holds special significance as the burial site of Diana. The family's potential visit would come shortly after her July 1 birthday, making the trip particularly meaningful for them and their children. Princess Lilibet’s middle name, Diana, was chosen in honor of her late grandmother.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (left) and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Prince William and Prince Harry unveil a statue they commissioned of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, on what would have been her 60th birthday on July 1, 2021 in London, England (Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince Harry has stayed at Althorp before during visits to Britain. The estate is owned by his uncle, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer. Harry also stayed there in August 2024 when he returned to the UK for the funeral of Lord Robert Fellowes.

In his 2023 memoir 'Spare,' he reflected on bringing Meghan to his mother's gravesite for the first time in 2022.

He wrote, “No visit to this place was ever easy, but this one… twenty-fifth anniversary. And Meg’s first time. At long last, I was bringing the girl of my dreams home to meet mum.” 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 07: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends Annual Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala Honoring Ms. Tina Knowles at Paramount Studios on February 07, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Savion Washington/Getty Images)
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends Annual Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala Honoring Ms Tina Knowles at Paramount Studios on February 07, 2026 in Los Angeles, California (Savion Washington/Getty Images)

Prince Harry cites security concerns before UK trip

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have not had taxpayer-funded police protection, a decision he has repeatedly challenged in court. No reunion between Harry and King Charles has been confirmed during the expected trip.

However, the pair most recently met at the King's London residence on September 10, 2025, during Harry's visit for the WellChild Awards and Invictus Games-related events.

The private meeting lasted 55 minutes and marked their first face-to-face conversation in 19 months.

They have returned to the UK with their children only once since leaving royal life, attending Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.

The couple were also in England for charity engagements when Queen Elizabeth died later that year and extended their stay to attend her funeral.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Members of the public file past Queen Elizabeth II's flag-draped cas
Members of the public file past Queen Elizabeth II's flag-draped casket lying in state on the catafalque as they enter Westminster Hall in the middle of the night on September 17, 2022 in London, England (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

During a High Court hearing in December 2023, Harry explained why security remains a key issue for him and his family. “The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the United States,” he said.

He added, “I can't put my wife in danger like that, and given my experiences in life, I'm reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm's way too.”

Speaking to the BBC about his family relationships, he also said he would “love reconciliation” with his relatives.

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