Meghan Markle Won't Be Returning to the U.K. With Prince Harry for an Important Reason

Published on April 29, 2024 @ 03:57PM

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Prince Harry is gearing up to make a trip back to his old stomping grounds to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. But while many royal fans were hoping for a chance to see Meghan Markle join him, that won't be happening. 

People confirmed that the duchess won't be making the trip across the pond to attend the May 8 event at St. Paul's Cathedral. Harry is scheduled to give a reading at the ceremony. According to the publication, the last time that Meghan was in England was in 2022, when Queen Elizabeth II passed away. Harry has made other trips, however, including a quick visit to see his father when King Charles announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer and at his coronation. Last week, various sources shared that Harry was worried about getting the proper security for his family if they were to attend the event.

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The Invictus Games ceremony will include "members of the wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veteran community" alongside community members, supporters, and beneficiaries. They're all expected to participate in the ceremony, though the public hasn't been given a specific schedule for the event just yet. Harry established the tournament, which brings together service personnel and veterans for events like wheelchair basketball and sit-down volleyball, back in 2014. Since the first Invictus Games in London, the event has traveled to The Hauge, Orlando, Toronto, Düsseldorf, and more. The 2025 edition of the games is set to take place in Vancouver and Whistler.

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People also confirmed that Meghan will join Harry on a trip to Nigeria scheduled for May. The Sussexes were invited by the Chief of Defense Staff, the country's highest-ranking military official. Like other royal tours, Harry and Meghan are expected to meet with various officials as well as immerse themselves in local culture. Nigeria made its Invictus Games debut at the 2023 games in Düsseldorf, Germany, and Nigerian Minister of Defense Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru was in attendance. People notes that he expressed a desire to bring the event to Nigeria in the future. 

"Now, I'm not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she's of Nigerian descent, it's likely to get a little bit more competitive this year," Harry said at a kickoff event for the games in September 2023. At last year's tournament, Harry and Meghan were given a commemorative plaque from the chief of defense—and the duchess was honored with a new nickname: "Amira Ngozi Lolo." Amira is the name of a legendary warrior princess, and Ngozi translates to "blessed. Lolo means "royal wife."