What Happened to Meghan Markle's England Visits?
Since stepping back as senior royals in 2020, Meghan Markle's visits to England have been infrequent and largely centered around significant family or charitable events. Her most notable returns include the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and funeral in 2022, and a recent brief layover in May 2026, amid ongoing discussions about security and her relationship with the Royal Family.
Quick Answer
Meghan Markle's England visits since 2020 have been limited, primarily for key royal events like Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee and funeral in 2022. While Prince Harry has made several solo trips, Meghan has largely remained in the US due to security concerns and a reported desire to avoid the UK. However, she made a brief, unexpected layover in London in May 2026 while returning from a trip to Geneva, marking her first presence in the UK since 2022.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
First UK visit after stepping down as senior royals
Meghan Markle returned to the UK for a series of final engagements with Prince Harry, marking her first visit since they announced their intention to step back as senior members of the Royal Family.
Visit with Queen Elizabeth II before Invictus Games
Meghan and Harry made a stopover in London to visit Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle before heading to the Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands.
Attends Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations
Meghan and Harry returned to the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet, for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. They observed Trooping the Colour from the Major General's Office.
Attends Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral
The couple made their first public appearance with the wider Royal Family since stepping back at the Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee at St. Paul's Cathedral.
Keynote speech at One Young World Summit in Manchester
Meghan Markle delivered a keynote speech at the One Young World Summit in Manchester, marking her first speech in the UK in two years and stating it was 'very nice to be back'.
Attends WellChild Awards
Meghan and Harry attended the WellChild Awards in London, an event close to their hearts, before news of Queen Elizabeth II's declining health emerged.
Attends Queen Elizabeth II's State Funeral
Meghan Markle attended the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, a somber and emotional occasion, marking her last prolonged visit to the UK for several years.
Prince Harry loses security court case
Prince Harry lost his court case against the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) over the decision to remove his right to taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK, impacting future family visits.
Speculation of London Fashion Week attendance in Feb 2026
Following a surprise appearance at Paris Fashion Week, speculation arose that Meghan might attend London Fashion Week in February 2026, which would have been her first UK visit since 2022.
Staff changes hint at more UK visits
Reports suggested that staff changes, specifically a senior aide moving back to the UK, could lead to more visits for Meghan and Harry in 2026, potentially aiding reconciliation efforts.
Anticipated UK visit for Invictus Games event
Reports indicated Meghan was expected to visit the UK for an Invictus Games event in Birmingham, contingent on the reinstatement of armed police protection.
Brief layover in London
Meghan Markle made a brief, unexpected stop in London during a layover on her return flight from Geneva to Los Angeles, marking her first presence in the UK since 2022. She had been in Geneva for the Lost Screen Memorial.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Meghan Markle's presence in England has significantly diminished since she and Prince Harry stepped down as senior working members of the Royal Family in January 2020, a move widely dubbed 'Megxit'. Their decision to relocate to North America initiated a period of strained relations with the monarchy and heightened scrutiny from the British press. Consequently, Meghan's subsequent visits to the UK have been rare and often surrounded by controversy, particularly concerning security arrangements.
Her first return to the UK after stepping down was in March 2020 for a series of final engagements before their official departure. Following this, her next significant visit was in June 2022 for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. This visit was notable as it marked the first time the couple brought their children, Archie and Lilibet, to the UK together. However, their appearances were carefully managed, and they did not join senior royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony, reflecting their changed status. Reports at the time indicated an 'icy homecoming' and efforts by royal aides to avoid awkward interactions.
The most somber occasion for her return was in September 2022 for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. This was a highly emotional event, and Meghan was seen publicly mourning the late monarch. Since then, despite Prince Harry making several solo trips to the UK, Meghan had not returned until recently.
A key turning point in their visits has been the ongoing dispute over security. After stepping down, their taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK was removed. Prince Harry lost a court case in May 2025 regarding the reinstatement of this protection, arguing it was unsafe to bring his family to the UK without it. This has been a major deterrent for Meghan's visits.
As of May 2026, Meghan Markle made an unexpected, brief stop in London during a layover on her way back to Los Angeles from Geneva. She had been in Geneva to speak at the Lost Screen Memorial, advocating for children's online safety. This fleeting visit, confirmed by her spokesperson, marked her first presence in the UK since 2022. While there were earlier speculations about a potential return for an Invictus Games event in July 2026, contingent on security, this recent layover was a surprise. Her current status regarding future prolonged visits remains uncertain, heavily influenced by security arrangements and her stated preference not to 'set foot again in England' as reported in Omid Scobie's book 'Endgame'.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Meghan Markle's England Visits made different choices?