Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have lived in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While physical distance and a reduced public role have limited the children’s time with the wider Royal Family, there has been ongoing public interest in King Charles III’s relationship with his two youngest grandchildren.
This article looks at verified public statements, reputable reporting, and confirmed events that outline the King’s approach to family ties, particularly regarding Archie and Lilibet.
Background: The Sussexes’ Move to the United States
On January 8, 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan announced they would step down as senior working members of the Royal Family — a decision widely referred to as “Megxit” in media coverage. By spring 2020, the transition was complete. The couple relocated to North America, eventually settling in Montecito, California, with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.
Since then, Harry and Meghan have focused on charitable initiatives, media production, and advocacy through the Archewell Foundation. While they have participated in select public events, their children have largely been kept out of the public spotlight.
Public Statements on King Charles and His Grandchildren
King Charles III has spoken in broad terms about the importance of family in various public appearances and official interviews. While he has not frequently commented in detail on Archie and Lilibet, credible royal correspondents and biographers have confirmed that family relationships remain important to him.
In an official spokesperson statement in May 2024, reported by BBC News, Prince Harry confirmed that he had been unable to meet the King during a UK visit due to scheduling conflicts, but expressed hope to see him “soon.” No additional details were given about potential visits involving the children.
Confirmed In-Person Meetings
Based on multiple reputable sources, including The Guardian and People Magazine:
- King Charles met Archie a few times during Archie’s infancy while the Sussexes were still living in the UK.
- The King first met Princess Lilibet during the Sussex family’s visit to the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
Since then, no further in-person meetings have been confirmed by Buckingham Palace.
Birthday Acknowledgements
According to reporting from The Mirror and Hello! Magazine, King Charles acknowledged Lilibet’s third birthday in June 2024 with a personal message and a gift. While the Palace does not typically confirm private gift exchanges, reputable outlets have cited sources indicating that the King marked the occasion.
King Charles’s Approach to Family Time
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward, in her book My Mother and I – The Inside Story of the King and Our Late Queen, describes Charles as valuing family connections deeply, in part due to his own childhood experiences with frequently absent parents. Seward notes that the King seeks meaningful involvement in his grandchildren’s lives where possible.
His established role as a hands-on grandfather to the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales is well documented through official engagements and photographs. Public appearances with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis show him engaging warmly, something commentators suggest he wishes to replicate with Archie and Lilibet.
Health Context and Public Engagements
In early 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer. Following medical advice, he reduced his schedule of public engagements while continuing state duties.
Reputable outlets including BBC News and The Telegraph have reported that the King has used this period to prioritize personal matters alongside official responsibilities. While no official statement directly links this to his grandchildren, such periods of reduced public duty have historically allowed monarchs more private family time.
Challenges of Geography and Scheduling
The primary logistical barrier to frequent in-person contact between the King and the Sussex children remains geography. With the King based in the UK and Archie and Lilibet residing in California, visits require significant planning. Royal family travel involving children is typically private and not disclosed unless it forms part of an official engagement.
Scheduling conflicts have also been noted. During Prince Harry’s May 2024 visit for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King’s full program of engagements prevented a meeting. Both sides indicated publicly that they hoped to arrange one in the future.
Official Palace Position
Buckingham Palace generally does not comment on private family matters unless directly related to royal duties or protocol. No official statement has been made about ongoing contact between King Charles and Archie and Lilibet beyond the confirmed past meetings and birthday acknowledgments.
This aligns with the Palace’s approach to privacy for royal minors, including limiting the release of personal details and photographs unless parents consent.
The Role of Family in the Monarchy
Royal historians note that maintaining personal relationships within the family has symbolic and practical importance for the monarchy. Dr. Anna Whitelock, Professor of the History of Monarchy at City, University of London, told BBC Radio 4 in a previous interview that the public perception of unity can influence broader support for the institution, even when family members lead separate lives.
While the King’s role is primarily constitutional and ceremonial, his position as a father and grandfather holds personal significance and is often reflected in private actions rather than public announcements.
Conclusion
Verified information confirms that King Charles III has met his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet at least once in person each, acknowledged significant occasions such as birthdays, and expressed—through both public demeanor and trusted biographers—a commitment to family relationships.
While media speculation about future reunions is common, the official record shows that contact between the King and the Sussex children has been limited primarily by geography and schedules rather than by formal estrangement. Buckingham Palace’s consistent policy of privacy for minors means that many such interactions, if they occur, are likely to remain known only to the family.
Sources:
- BBC News – King Charles Cancer Diagnosis & Royal Duties
- Royal.uk – The Royal Family
- The Guardian – King Charles Meets Lilibet
- People Magazine – Sussex Family Visits
- The Telegraph – King Charles Health & Engagements
- Hello! Magazine – Royal Birthdays
