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Meghan Markle's 'crisis' over summer UK visit with Prince Harry and kids

EXCLUSIVE: As the Sussexes reportedly plan their trip to Britain, a royal expert tells the Mirror that returning here wont be easy but they must face the challenge

[Meghan Markle and Prince Harry]

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Meghan and Harry are UK bound next month and experts say there's a lot riding on the visit(Image: Getty Images)

With fresh scrutiny surrounding the Duchess of Sussexs business and renewed focus on her husbands relationship with the royal family, the Sussex familys visit to the UK next month comes at a critical time for Meghan. It was widely reported recently that Prince Harry and Meghan are planning to bring Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, to Harrys homeland next month, ahead of the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.

They need to come, or more accurately, Meghan needs to come, royal author Ingrid Seward tells the Mirror. She really needs a bit of royal stardust sprinkled on her and her business if she wants it to succeed. Shes probably hoping a visit to the UK would give her that, so she has to make it work somehow.

It could be a very good move for her business but it leaves her with a bit of a crisis because coming to a country where she is so disliked wont be easy.

[Prince harry and King Charles]

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The father and son are expected to meet this summer(Image: Getty Images)

Recent weeks have seen a slew of rumours that there could be trouble ahead for Meghans As Ever lifestyle business, which she launched in April last year.

One report claimed Meghans popularity among Americans fell in the first three months of this year and at the same time, visits to her As Ever online shop also dipped. While Americas Page Six claimed the former Suits actress could be facing a $5 million jam if she doesnt manage to offload her jams, teas and flower sprinkles before they go out of date at the end of next summer.

However, a Sussex spokesperson dismissed the claims that As Ever is facing financial difficulties or bankruptcy as entirely false and based on speculation, and said it continues to grow with a strong customer community and an exciting pipeline of future products.

Since its launch, Meghan has faced criticism over everything from her products to questions about whether shes cashing in on her royal status.

[Meghan's As Ever business has faced almost constant scrutiny since its launch in April 2025]

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Meghan's As Ever business has faced almost constant scrutiny since its launch in April 2025(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

The latest target was her As Ever advert ahead of Sundays Fathers Day, which pointed customers to a gift set with signature candle (and matches), herbal tea and a jar of honey for $110 (83). Posting on X, one person claimed Meghan disowned her dad while trying to keep a royal title selling Fathers Day items.

According to Ingrid, if Meghan wants to build a brand that gives her financial stability and independence from Harrys UK royal family, she needs the royal seal of approval.

The business and her relationships with the royal family are sort of symbiotic, she explains. Her branding is built on a Hollywood idea of royalty, its regal by Hollywood standards. Its also a sort of influencer brand, so she needs to be an influencer with royal connections. She cant be that unless she has some sort of relationship, ideally a good one, with the royal family.

Another element of Meghans predicament, Ingrid claims, is the challenge of flipping the largely negative public perception of her among the people who still blame her for everything thats gone wrong with Harry and his family.

[Ingrid Seward says Meghan needs some 'royal stardust' - and a trip to the UK could provide it]

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Ingrid Seward says Meghan needs some 'royal stardust' - and a trip to the UK could provide it(Image: JAKE ROSENBERG/NETFLIX)

I dont know how shell turn it around, because a lot of people feel that way, Ingrid claims. Coming here and facing that will be a challenge, but the last thing she wants is more rumours that she and Harry are getting divorced, if he were to come alone. She knows shes under fire and the under fire image isnt good for her brand. Shes fighting in all corners so she needs to project a perfect image in order to keep building her brand and business.

Of course, any future UK visit also reignites questions about Harrys relationship with his father, King Charles, and wider family, who he said last year he would love to reconcile with.

Theres no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious, he told the BBC after losing his Court of Appeal battle over the level of security he and his family get on UK soil.

Harrys last in-person meeting with his father occurred in September last year, when they met at Clarence House for 54 minutes. Afterwards, details were allegedly leaked by someone who claimed the vibe was distinctly formal and that Harry presented his dad with a framed photo of his children.

[Clarence House]

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Harry and Charles met for just under an hour in Clarence House in September 2025(Image: PA)

In response, Harrys team blamed sources intent on sabotaging the reunion, and said the formal claim was categorically false.

As such, Ingrid says any potential meeting next month will require meticulous planning but its unlikely either Team Sussex or Buckingham Palace will release details. Arranging a last-minute visit and hoping to see King Charles would be a risk, she claims. His days are ordered down to the second, which is why he values his time off so greatly.

So if Harry, with or without his family, is hoping for more than 54 minutes, it will need to be very carefully planned as early as possible. But Im sure the King would love to see and get to know Harrys children.

He loves spending time with the younger generations of the family, we saw that at Trooping the Colour, and hes always especially sweet with Prince Louis. It would be lovely for him to have that opportunity and time with Harrys children too.

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