Prince Harry's Potential 2026 Comeback: A Royal Reconciliation?

He's stamped his feet, thrown his toys out of the pram and accused his father’s court of a “good old-fashioned establishment stitch up”, but could everything be about to change for Prince Harry? To say that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had a turbulent few years would be the understatement of the century. Family rifts, explosive interviews, a scandalous memoir, court cases, crumbling brand deals, and a charity fallout have all dominated the headlines since the couple walked away from it all five years ago to carve out a new life in sunny California. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Now, Harry and Meghan are on the cusp of major change once again. With the decision taken by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) to reinstate the Duke’s government-funded police security, now thought to be little more than a formality, and Harry’s six-week lawsuit against the Daily Mail starting at the High Court on Monday, he could be on the verge of turning things around. READ MORE: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 'priority' at new home exposed in telling photo READ MORE: Meghan Markle dealt crushing blow as Brits issue verdict on UK return Of course, there will be benefits for Harry and Meghan personally if they have their police security reinstated, as it means they can return to the UK without having to give Scotland Yard 30 days’ notice. But the impact may be as beneficial for their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, and Harry’s father, King Charles. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT “We know that Harry wants a reconciliation; he's made that abundantly clear. He's said that in an interview, and I believe that the King does as well,” says royal commentator Afua Hagan. “If the security situation is sorted and it's favourable towards Harry, then this could absolutely be a time for Harry to bring Archie and Lilibet to see their grandfather, and potentially his brother and his brother's children.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT She adds: “It certainly paves the way for a safe reconciliation. And it means Harry can make a quick trip or come at short notice if he needs to for any reason, which certainly makes it easier for all sides to begin to consider a new phase in their relationship.” Harry and Meghan’s children are not believed to have visited the UK since June 2022, when they travelled with their parents to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s historic Platinum Jubilee. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams agrees that the King’s Sussex grandchildren may just hold the key to any future success. “Their rift with the Royal Family remains deep,” he says. “However, their trump card is undoubtedly Archie and Lilibet. If they came, there would be worldwide fascination and a gentler reception. “They would be likely to see King Charles, and there will undoubtedly be questions about their long-term plans. Do they envisage Archie and Lilibet spending time in Britain during their education? Since they have the option of titles, in a future year, who knows what royal role, if any, they might one day play, as they cannot be blamed for their parents’ behaviour.” Of course, it’s not enough to rely on the convening power of two children under the age of 10, and the couple will have to do much more to get them teetering back on the edge of the royal circle of trust. That may start with proving they can be trusted not to reveal details of private meetings, not to give further damaging interviews, or not to use any content to fuel their Netflix deal, which was extended for a “multi-year ‘first look’ deal for film and television projects” last August. After the Duke of Sussex previously lost his legal challenge for greater security protection last May, he sat down with the BBC for a blistering interview, calling the move “a good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up”. But Harry also upset royal supporters after he lamented, "I don't know how long my father has left", suggesting that any chance of reconciliation rests entirely in his father’s hands. While Harry still has connections in the UK to charities such as Wellchild and Scotty’s Little Soldiers, should the couple return more regularly and carve out a life between the UK and the US, questions will be asked about whether they will become working royals again. Afua makes clear that “the answer to that is a hard no, because they’re happy where they are”. She adds: “The change in status with the security would definitely make it easier for him to come back and potentially build bridges, but we’re not going to have a situation where Harry is a working royal because he doesn't want to be.” Yet receiving his security details should greatly soothe Harry’s anxiety around a country he feels is “too dangerous” to bring his wife and young children to. This will undoubtedly help with planning for his upcoming Invictus Games, set to be held in Birmingham in 2027, featuring the talents of injured servicemen and women. Before that, he is expected to travel back this summer for the annual One Year to Go event held 12 months prior to the Games themselves. Anticipation is high over whether Meghan will join him, having previously attended ceremonies in Canada and Germany. She has not visited the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, but the Duchess is thought to be hoping to attend the one-year countdown on July 10. “Meghan’s chosen path is Hollywood and the United States, where she wants to become an influencer,” says Richard. “She clearly proposes to use Invictus and the first of what may prove to be a series of visits to Britain to remind the world of her royal status.” But Afua is not so sure. “There is a proportion of people who absolutely love her and would love to see her, but I think the price [to pay] will be the negative storylines about her, which will be very difficult,” she says. “I don't think she will come back immediately.” Harry is thought to be desperate for his father to stand beside him and open the Games, and has reportedly invited him to do so. “This is a carefully planned public relations stunt,” says Richard. “The timing – as the closing ceremony coincides with Queen Camilla’s 80th birthday – may not appeal to the King, but it is a major military charity, and he may feel it is his duty to attend whatever his personal feelings.” With the couple’s immediate future potentially getting brighter, Richard is clear that after such a challenging 12 months, Harry in particular will be breathing a sigh of relief. “Prince Harry begins 2026 with his morale high after a highly disappointing year,” he says. “He lost Sentebale, which he had co-founded in his mother’s memory, remained silent over the Africa Parks controversy and looked at times like a film extra when he appeared on Meghan’s cookery series and her pitiful twerking video. “As he sees it, the year begins with a victory over security, especially after taking his case to appeal and losing, which he followed with an emotional and erratic rant on the BBC, something which would have done nothing to convince the Royal Family he had changed one iota.” But after such a protracted battle, Afua feels that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, especially where Invictus is concerned. “He can definitely start making more trips to see his father and build those bridges,” she says. “And he's British, this is his home, so not being able to return to it because you don't feel safe must be a huge burden and terribly sad. If he can have some of that weight lifted, he can feel freer and focus on building bridges, instead of being anxious about his and his family’s safety.” Critics may ask why Harry and Meghan, with their immense wealth, need security funded by the UK government? Last year, the Duke made a generous personal £1.1million donation to Children in Need last year, while Meghan has allegedly made millions from sales of her jam and other products sold through her lifestyle business As Ever – as seemingly revealed in a recent website glitch. While Richard says there is good reason for Harry’s security to be reinstated, it will not boost his already dented popularity with the British public. “The trauma he undoubtedly suffered after his mother’s tragic death still haunts him; there are threats, and there was always a reason for making this a special case,” he says. “His popularity with the British public will almost certainly not be enhanced by this, as this will be a year where the royal finances will be much debated and under parliamentary scrutiny.” The “parliamentary scrutiny” to which he refers includes the investigation launched after details of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s “peppercorn” rent agreement with the Crown Estate emerged. But there could be an even better reason why handling such a sensitive subject is best left to the government. 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