Meghan Markle is unlikely to join Prince Harry for an ‘olive branch trip’ to Britain as the Duke of Sussex looks to reconnect with his family, an insider has claimed to a woman’s magazine.
Harry, 39, is reported to be planning to come back to the UK this summer for an extended period of time as he wants to ‘prioritise mending his broken relationship with his family’.
The father-of-two is thought to have been blindsided by the double cancer diagnoses of his father King Charles and sister-in-law Princess Catherine and there is speculation he now wants to repair bridges with his family across the pond.
However, despite the Duke’s intention to cross the Atlantic for a longer trip, his wife of six years is reportedly not expected to join him as she has ‘too much on her plate’ with the launch of her new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
An insider has claimed to one magazine that as well has having to look after her business interests, the Duchess of Sussex is also fearful of being ‘heckled again in public’ after the couple were booed in 2022 at an event during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the ESPY Awards in Hollywood, California, on July 11
King Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk to church in Sandringham on Christmas Day 2018
Prince Harry whispers to Meghan Markle as they watch a dance performance at Cardiff Castle in Wales in January 2018
Prince Harry waves to the crowd as he walks alongside Prince William at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle before his wedding to Meghan Markle in May 2018
If true, these fears could mean that she and Harry are forced to spend more time apart as he looks to fix the incredibly strained and almost non-existent relationship he has with his family across the pond.
A source told Closer that the King’s youngest son is ‘convinced’ that by spending an extended amount of time in Britain ‘he’ll have a better chance of reconnecting with his family’.
The insider claimed that despite the pair being fully committed to their marriage, they could end up spending a month apart so he can focus on this task.
They told Closer: ‘Harry is very anxious to go home and see his dad, catch up with his friends for his birthday in September and also pay a visit to his aunt, Princess Anne. But that situation hasn’t changed for Meghan.
‘She’s respectful that Harry has to go back to his home for practical and emotional reasons, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to go with him.’
It is believed that any decision to travel to Britain by the Duke and his family would only be taken after ensuring it complies with policies set by the Home Office and the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC).
Harry is currently appealing a decision by RAVEC to downgrade his security after he stopped being a working royal.
MailOnline understands that before any trip takes place discussions around safety and security would take place, with a source claiming: ‘These factors ultimately determine whether they can travel individually or as a family’.
Meghan, 42, is launching her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard and has been seen teasing its products by sending jars of jam to friends and influencers in California.
She has also recently taken part in filming for a new cooking and home show on Netflix, which is part of her and Harry’s $100million deal with the streaming giant.
The couple also have their children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, two, to look after at their home in Montecito, which is about two hours west of Los Angeles.
The insider added: ‘She’s got way too much on her plate with the brand and her new cooking show, as well as looking after the kids.
‘The last thing she needs is the stress of going back to the UK, where she fears she’d be heckled again in public, which she finds incredibly painful’.
Harry is set to attempt to reconnect with his family over the summer. Pictured: Prince William, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Princess Catherine and King Charles on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour in June this year
Harry and Meghan at a Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 preview event in February
Harry and Meghan at the Invictus Games Dusseldorf closing ceremony in September 2023
Harry and Meghan appeared to be booed by crowds of people outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London in 2022 as they arrived for an event during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The couple’s popularity has taken a hit in recent years following an interview with Oprah Winfrey in which Meghan accused members of the Royal Family of being racially insensitive.
The couple’s Netflix show about their relationship and Prince Harry’s tell-all memoir Spare released in winter 2022/23, did not help matters as they lifted to lid on private conversations within the Royal Family.
Since then Meghan’s trips to Britain have been fleeting, with the Duchess making an overnight stop at Heathrow Airport in May to reunite with Harry before flying out to Nigeria for a quasi-royal tour.
Harry has made two short visits to Britain so far this year – including a three-night stop in London for an Invictus Games celebration.
Despite this he did not see his father or brother, with a spokesperson for the Duke claiming cancer-stricken Charles was ‘too busy’ to see him.
A spokesman said at the time: ‘It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
‘The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.’
Meghan Markle could miss the Invictus Games in Birmingham
Meghan and Harry watch sitting volleyball at the Invictus Games at The Hague in April 2022
Harry and Meghan were first seen in public together at Invictus in Toronto in September 2017
It was later reported that Harry had turned down an invitation to see the King over ‘security concerns’ after the withdrawal of his taxpayer funded security.
It is believed Meghan’s next visit to Britain could be for the Invictus Games, which is set to be held in Birmingham in 2027.
The Duchess of Sussex has visited all iterations of the games, which is her husband’s passion project to help and celebrate wounded veterans.
However, even that is in doubt due to the row over Harry’s security arrangements while he and his family are in the UK.
In February, Prince Harry – who lives in Montecito, California – lost his High Court challenge against the Government over his right to state-funded police protection after it was downgraded by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC).
He had told a judge that he did not feel able to bring his children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, to Britain and could not put his wife ‘in danger like that’.
Harry was given permission in May to go to the Court of Appeal – but if this fails then he may feel forced to attend the competition alone because of fears for his family.
