Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may soon return to the U.K. with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet for the first time in four years, and the trip could include a deeply personal stop at Althorp. According to People, the family is expected in Britain next month as Harry takes part in events marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. With Althorp House closed to visitors on July 10 and 11, attention has turned to whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could visit Princess Diana’s burial site during the occasion.
Prince Harry Recalled Meghan’s First Visit to Althorp
The private moment was described by Harry in his memoir, Spare, when he wrote about taking Meghan to his mother’s grave in 2022, the year of the 25th anniversary of Diana’s death. He said the visit carried extra weight because it was Meghan’s first time there. Harry wrote that they were rowed by boat to the island burial site after making their way through mud at the Spencer estate. The setting, tucked within the Round Oval lake at Althorp Park, is not open to the public.
Meghan Markle Prayed for “Clarity” and “Guidance”
Harry described placing flowers on the grave and speaking silently to his mother before stepping away to give Meghan time alone. When he returned, he saw her kneeling with her eyes shut and her palms against the stone. "Clarity," she said. "And guidance," Prince Harry wrote in Spare. Those two words now stand out again as plans for a possible family visit take shape. The account adds another layer to the couple’s connection to Althorp, where Diana was laid to rest after her 1997 death.
Princess Diana’s Grave Remains Private at Spencer Estate
Princess Diana is buried on an island at the center of the ornamental lake on the Spencer family estate in Northamptonshire. The grave itself is off-limits, adding to the sense of privacy around any visit by Harry and his family. Harry has stayed at Althorp before, including during a 2024 trip to the U.K. for the funeral of his uncle Lord Robert Fellowes. The estate belongs to Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, and has long been one of the most personal places tied to Harry’s memories of his mother.
Prince Harry’s U.K. Return Includes Security Questions
The possible trip also comes with practical issues. As reported by People, King Charles has offered Harry and his family accommodation on a royal estate, though no response has been received. Security remains a central concern for the Duke of Sussex after the loss of taxpayer-funded police protection following his and Meghan’s 2020 royal exit. "The U.K. is my home. The U.K. is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home," Prince Harry said according to People Magazine. That context gives any return added significance.
