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