Queen extending 'olive branch' to spend more time with Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet this summer

The Queen has reportedly left for Balmoral to spend the summer in her favourite residence - and a royal reunion is set to take place

Prince Harry and Meghan alongside the Queen
(Image credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Future - Kirsty O'Connor-WPA Pool/Getty Images/Future)

The Queen has reportedly invited Prince Harry and Meghan to spend time at Balmoral this summer.


The Queen arrived at her Highlands home on Thursday, and is reportedly planning to stay in Craigowan Lodge on the Balmoral estate for a total of 10 weeks.

In what is being dubbed 'an extended olive branch', the Queen has reportedly invited Harry, Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, to spend time with her at the Scottish home.

The pair have not been to the Highlands to see the Queen since 2018. If they accept, it would mean that the duke and duchess' children, Archie and Lilibet, would finally spend quality time with their great-grandmother.

However, it is claimed that the Sussexes will not spend time with other royals, such as Charles and William, and will only stay with Her Majesty briefly while other senior royals are not about.

A source told The Sun on Sunday, "Staff have been told to expect the full list of royals including Harry, Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet. They are preparing for the Sussexes."

Another source also said, “Balmoral is the perfect place for them to spend a little bit of quality time with the Queen.

The Sussex family made a brief appearance at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this summer but did not stay long and were kept in the background for the Buckingham Palace balcony appearance. 

A palace insider told The Express that Prince Harry and Meghan 'barely had 15 minutes' with The Queen due to the hectic arrangements of the jubilee celebrations. However, they managed to finally introduce their daughter Lilibet to her great-grandmother.

A royal expert revealed she believed Prince Harry was "absolutely furious" over his treatment during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Angela Levin, who penned the Duke of Sussex's biography, told The Sun, "The thing that really stood out for me on that day was Harry's anger – he wears his emotions on his face and he looked absolutely furious. He could have been feeling lots of things, I don't know whether he had a wave of feeling at what he had given up."

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Anna Bailey
Editor in Chief

Anna Bailey has been the editor of Goodto since 2018. Before joining the team she was Features Editor at MSN UK, where she oversaw Family Health and Days Out. Previously, she was Digital Lifestyle Editor for the broadcaster UKTV, and Lifestyle Editor for ITV.com. Anna studied Multi-Media Journalism at Bournemouth University and went on to gain her NCTJ and NCE  journalism qualifications. Anna is responsible for driving the direction and editorial strategy of Goodto. A mum and experienced baby product tester, she is passionate about providing safe, trustworthy, and relatable advice for families of all kinds.