Meghan would have felt ‘humiliated’ as rows overshadowed UK trip, her friends tell People magazine
Meghan Markle’s first visit to the UK in four years will be ‘humiliated’ and filled with ‘a lot of sadness’, friends of the Duchess told People magazine.
The Duchess of Sussex is allowing her husband to take the lead in ongoing conflict with her family, including a fight to stay at Buckingham Palace, allies claim.
But Harry suffered ‘huge sadness’ when plans to support his husband at various public appearances in Britain fell through, despite Meghan, Archie and Lilibet being reunited with King Charles.
Harry had wanted Meghan and her young family to join him for the entire five-day trip, which focused on Invictus and legacy charities.
Instead he flew to Britain alone, and hours before he was due to arrive in London, new chaos broke out when his invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace was withdrawn.
Meghan delayed her arrival and sneaked into the country with seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet due to ongoing security concerns.
A friend of the couple told People magazine, considered the Sussex family’s preferred US publication, that Meghan would feel ‘humiliated’ by how the week had gone.
A second source said Meghan was ‘very supportive’ of Harry but suffered ‘a lot of sadness’ from not being able to stand by him in public in London and Birmingham.
Sources said Meghan, who was photographed at the UN in Geneva in May, was said to have been humiliated by the way her UK trip went, making her particularly upset that she felt unable to support him at any Invictus events.
Meghan is said to have allowed Harry, who was photographed in Birmingham last week, to take the lead in dealing with his family, but was upset about not being able to be with her at Invictus events in England.
The King is said to have become impatient after Harry balked at the offer to stay at Buckingham Palace at the start of his trip.
The Duke initially rejected the offer of accommodation, then changed his mind and tried to accept after the deadline had passed.
Harry’s spokesman later told the BBC he would remain at the Palace, but the King’s aides said he left the palace too late.
When it comes to Harry’s relationship with his family, Meghan ‘always lets him take the lead,’ a third source told People.
‘This isn’t the first time dealing with correspondence or trying to make things work,’ the source said.
‘It all comes back to security. If this were resolved there would be much more certainty every time he comes or they come.’
The week ended on a happier note with a secret family reunion at Highgrove that included the King and Queen Camilla; It was the first time Charles saw his daughter-in-law and grandchildren since 2022.
But Meghan missed all of Harry’s public Invictus Games appearances, something her friends said left her deeply upset.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has been asked for comment.
Harry is said to be ‘rejuvenated’ and ‘really energized’ after his family reunion with King Charles.
The Duke of Sussex was ‘delighted’ to have his wife and children join him to spend time with his father and stepmother Queen Camilla at Highgrove.
Harry and his family are believed to have been meeting the King and Queen for more than an hour.
The King is said to be determined to see his grandchildren for the first time in four years, in a week when Harry suffered a crushing defeat in his privacy case against the Daily Mail.
Harry’s friends also claimed he was “very jolly, very happy and really full of energy” after the monarch met Archie and Lilibet for the first time in four years.
Famous wife Meghan Markle, whose father-in-law the King escorted her down the aisle on her wedding day in 2018, was also there after secretly flying the family to England.
King Charles has faced criticism in some quarters for meeting Harry and Meghan following years of attacks, including allegations of racism, in the California Royal Family since Megxit.
But a royal source said ‘blood is blood’ when asked about the decision to meet.
‘Every journey of a thousand miles starts with a step,’ the source added.
Harry and his family are believed to have spent around an hour with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove.
The meeting was particularly important because it was the first time Meghan, Archie and Lilibet had seen the 77-year-old monarch in person since 2022, who is still being treated for cancer.
There were hints earlier in the day that something big was brewing when Harry headed to the National Exhibition Center near Birmingham for the Invictus Games.
One observer said: ‘Harry arrived at Invictus with a huge smile spread all over his face.’
Meghan smiles with Harry at the 75th NBA All-Star Game in February
Harry was said to be absolutely thrilled to reconnect with his father at a meeting where Meghan, Lilibet and Archie also saw the King for the first time since 2022.
The family reunion at Highgrove had clearly boosted Harry’s spirits after a week dominated by negative headlines, including a row over his security and a crushing defeat in his privacy lawsuit against the Daily Mail.
Following his visit to Highgrove, the Duke of Sussex was all smiles as he attended Scotty’s Summer Festival at Maxstoke Castle in Warwickshire.
Harry is a global ambassador for the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which supports bereaved children of military families.
During the festival, Harry playfully posed with children as he participated in ‘goat yoga’ surrounded by animals. At one point he joked: ‘Is there health and safety? Do they bite?’, he takes his place on the mat and imitates goat ears with his hands while standing on one leg in a tree pose.
As Harry lay on his back and goats trampled his body, someone in the crowd joked that his security team should have intervened to ‘protect the crown jewels’.
The Sussexes are believed to be staying at Althorp Manor in Northamptonshire, which was the ancestral home of Princess Diana’s family and is buried on a private island in the middle of the lake.
The Duke of Sussex made his first public appearance since his trip to England – again without Meghan. Walking the red carpet for the TIME100 Sports Gala New York City last night.
Harry revealed he was among millions of England fans heartbroken by the team’s exit from the World Cup.
The Duke of Sussex said he was saddened by the Three Lions’ defeat to Argentina as he joined LeBron James, Lindsey Vonn, Jalen Brunson, Folarin Balogun and other sporting royalty for the glitzy event in New York.
Harry, who did not see his wife Meghan Markle after arriving at the gala, was asked if he was upset after England lost in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.
‘Certainly!’ 41 year old I told Page SixHe made his first appearance in the UK in a week to promote the Invictus Games.
Harry photographed with US football star Folarin Balogun during the event in New York
The duke also spoke with TIME’s Eric Kelliher and fellow guest of honor Lindsey Vonn.
Harry with former NBA star Masai Ujiri
Harry was in New York after being named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 in the ‘leaders’ category.
England took a 1-0 lead in the final moments of the semi-final against arch-rivals Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The Three Lions lost 2-1 after Lionel Messi produced a dramatic late comeback for the reigning champions.
Harry’s older brother Prince William had previously shared a post on social media. He said he was “gutted” after Thomas Tuchel’s team failed to reach the World Cup final for the first time in six decades.
‘England, you gave it your all and we are all proud of you,’ he wrote. ‘Thank you to everyone on and off the field for an incredible tournament.
‘The fight and belief you showed inspired us all… the most complete England team in a tournament,’ he continued. ‘Keep your head up.’
