Why Harry and Meghan posting a photo of Archie, Lili with the king would be ‘mayhem’

Royal Briefing is a new vodcast on nine.com.au discussing the biggest royal stories around the world. The episodes are available to watch now on YouTube.

The impending return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, to the UK is shaping up to be one of the biggest royal events of the year.

The polarising Sussexes will be taking Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to England for the first time in four years where they are expected to be reunited with their grandfather, King Charles.

But will the much-hyped family reunion next month result in a photograph of the monarch with his two American grandchildren?

“There are fears, or suspicions, the Duchess of Sussex may use a reunion between the children and the king as a publicity stunt because Meghan would love nothing more,” nine.com.au royal reporter Natalie Oliveri says on the latest episode of Royal Briefing.

“A photo of the king with Archie and Lilibet, either with or without Harry and her, would be beamed around the world instantly.

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“Everyone wants to see that photo of the king and his US-based grandchildren. But I think it’s best to be left private because it could be used to serve Meghan’s own publicity purposes.”

Oliveri added: “Meghan and Harry’s life in the US hasn’t quite worked out the way they wanted, they are not as in demand as they had hoped.

“For Meghan to remain relevant, even Harry, they need that royal connection. They need the royal link and a photo with the king would absolutely give them that. The king should insist that photo, if it happens at all, should remain private.”

Entertainment editor for nine.com.au Nicole Douglas agreed but for different reasons.

“I think it should be a private photo but not for the reasons you’re thinking of,” Douglas said.

“If [Meghan] was to put out the photo of the kids, she would be absolutely slammed. Every little thing in that photo would be picked apart. The outfit, her smile. It would be insane.

“[Meghan] knows she’s just going to stick to the jam-making, to keep her profile [in] that calm, [semi] private life she likes to live. If she bangs in a photo of the king it will be mayhem.”

In 2022, the last time Meghan and the children joined Harry in the UK, the couple was denied an opportunity to photograph their meeting with Queen Elizabeth II. The Sussexes had travelled from America for the Platinum Jubilee and introduced their daughter Lilibet to her namesake.

They had asked to bring a photographer but Elizabeth II was said to have refused permission and it remains unknown if any photos of the late monarch, and her great-grandchildren, exist.

A family photo could also reveal, for the first time, the full faces of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet following efforts by their parents to keep them obscured.

King Charles has offered Prince Harry and his family the use of a royal residence for them to stay at when they return in July but they have yet to accept the offer.

Prince Harry and Meghan’s team are still finalising their itinerary but they are expected to attend a ‘one year to go’ event promoting the Invictus Games in Birmingham in July 2027.

The duke will also carry out engagements connected with his remaining patronages, such as WellChild and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

While a meeting between Prince Harry and Meghan’s children and King Charles is likely, what is doubtful is a reunion of the Sussexes and the Wales’.

Prince William and Prince Harry are estranged and aren’t believed to have spoken in years.

To find out more about the royal feud and Prince Harry and Meghan’s plans for their UK visit, watch the full episode of Royal Briefing on Youtube.