Logo

The British royal family is known to spend their holidays at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

This summer marks the first time that the Firm has returned to the residence since the passing of Queen Elizabeth last September.

However, exiled royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won’t be joining the family, following their move to Montecito, California, in 2020.

According to expert and royal broadcaster Katie Nicholl, the Duke of Sussex, 38, “must miss his family more than ever” this year as he’s “not coming back to the UK for the summer.”

Nicholl also told Closer Magazine, per the Mirror, that Harry wants his children, Lilibet and Archie, to “have a special relationship with their cousins” as he did.

The former army man and his brother, Prince William, have had an icy relationship for the last several years.


  Harry and Markle moved to Montecito, California, in 2020 after taking a step back as members of the royal family. zz/KGC-375/STAR MAX/IPx Harry and Markle moved to Montecito, California, in 2020 after taking a step back as members of the royal family. zz/KGC-375/STAR MAX/IPx

Nicholl added that Harry’s life in the United States with Markle, 41, and their kids is “very different” from that of his relatives.

“You have to wonder whether the novelty of that has worn off,” she said.

But the former actress and the Invictus Games founder were reportedly given an “open invitation” by King Charles to visit Balmoral, according to the Daily Mail.

Royal editor Rebecca English wrote for the publication late last month: “All family members, I am told, are expected to stay at some point over the next few weeks. That is, except the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”


  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s kids Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, and Prince George are cousins to Harry and Markle’s kids, Archie and Lilibet. Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s kids Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, and Prince George are cousins to Harry and Markle’s kids, Archie and Lilibet. Getty Images

“Relations between father and son, I understand, are still not good, although the family feels encouraged by claims that Harry and Meghan are now determined to focus on the future rather than family recriminations,” she went on.

An insider speaking to the royal expert about the retreat had told her, “If true, that can only be a good thing and may offer a sliver of hope that at some point in the future personal relationships can be rebuilt … It’s been a very visibly challenging year when it comes to the Sussexes.”


  Prince William and Kate Middleton will be staying at their cottage on the Balmoral estate this summer. Getty Images Prince William and Kate Middleton will be staying at their cottage on the Balmoral estate this summer. Getty Images

Harry and Markle have endured a tumultuous year so far, including losing their Spotify deal, being snubbed for Emmy nominations and not having Markle’s “Archetypes” podcast renewed for Season 2.

As for William, 41, his wife, Kate Middleton, also 41, and their three kids — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — they won’t be staying in the Scottish abode itself.

However, they will be residing at a neighboring cottage known as Tam-Na-Ghar.

The home rests on the Balmoral estate and was given to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by the late Queen Mother, his great-grandmother, before she died in 2002.

Balmoral Castle has been one of the royal family’s main lodgings since it was bought for Queen Victoria by her husband, Prince Albert, in 1852.

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy