Ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s highly anticipated trip to the UK in July, questions have emerged over whether they’ll allow their children to be photographed with King Charles.

Meghan has repeatedly come under fire for allegedly using her children to promote products from her As Ever brand, and some appear to believe that a photo with Charles could play into that narrative.

Speculation has also swirled over where the Sussexes will stay during the visit, with reports suggesting they may lean toward Harry’s maternal side.

Will Prince Harry And Meghan Allow A Charles Family Photo?

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare to return to British soil next month, royal commentators are debating whether the world will finally see an official photo of King Charles with his youngest grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are scheduled to travel to the UK in July for engagements in London and Birmingham connected to the 2027 Invictus Games.

Reports suggest they’ll be bringing Archie and Lilibet with them, marking the children’s first time on British soil since Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

While His Majesty is reportedly keen to spend time with them, the prospect of a family photo has sparked debate over what it could mean for Harry and Meghan, especially if it becomes the image that finally reveals the children’s faces to the world.

Experts Question Impact Of A Family Photo With King Charles

During a recent “Royal Briefing” discussion, reporters Natalie Oliveri and Nicole Douglas argued the king should be able to see his grandchildren, but noted concerns that Meghan could use a family photo as a “publicity stunt.”

Although Meghan frequently shares photos of Archie and Lilibet on Instagram, she carefully avoids showing their faces. She has also faced online criticism from some who accuse her of using the children to promote her As Ever brand and maintain public relevance.

The hosts suggested that a photo of Charles with the children, whether or not Harry and Meghan appear in it, would be widely embraced and could improve the couple’s public image in some circles.

They also argued that any such family photos should remain private because they could potentially serve Meghan’s “publicity purposes.”

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Finances Back In The Spotlight

While Buckingham Palace remains protective of the King’s image as he continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, some commentators have argued that a photo with Harry and Meghan could also reinforce their “quasi-royal” lifestyle.

Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated abroad, where they now raise their children. Their post-royal ventures initially proved successful, securing lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify, while Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” became a bestseller.

However, their popularity has reportedly declined in recent years, with reports claiming they are facing financial strain as their annual living expenses exceed $6 million.

There has also been speculation that Meghan is now the family’s primary earner as Harry’s income opportunities have slowed.

Royal Expert Links UK Trip To Sussexes’ Finances

Against that backdrop, some royal commentators believe the Montecito-based couple now needs its royal ties more than ever and suggest that could be one motivation behind the UK visit.

Speaking on “The Royalist” podcast, commentator Tom Sykes claimed the planned trip reflected the level of “desperation and failure” facing the Sussexes.

Sykes added that the couple had “run out of ideas, and their finances are basically in jeopardy,” before claiming that “Meghan is someone who is desperate for fame.”

“She’s desperate for recognition,” the expert explained, per The Express. “She is desperate for money, of course, and status. And it just seems to her that a visit to the Royal Family in Britain would restore to her the credibility she once had.”

Where Prince Harry And Meghan Could Stay In The UK

According to the BBC, Harry and Meghan have been offered royal accommodation ahead of the trip, although it remains unclear whether they’ve accepted.

Another possibility is that they’ll lean on Harry’s maternal side and stay at Althorp House, the childhood home and final resting place of his late mother, Princess Diana.

The 13,000-acre Northamptonshire estate will be closed to the public from July 10 to July 11, around the same time Harry and Meghan are expected to be in the UK for Invictus Games-related engagements.

The property is roughly an hour from Birmingham, and Harry also stayed there in August 2024 when he returned to Britain for a family funeral.