news

This Just In: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Saw the Queen at Windsor Castle Ahead of 2022 Invictus Games

Just when we thought Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would never return to England, the unthinkable has happened.

According to BBC, on Thursday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stopped by Windsor Castle to visit Queen Elizabeth. Prince Harry last saw the monarch back in July, but for Markle, it’s been much longer. (We’re talking 2020, when they stepped down as senior royals.)

VICTORIA JONES/AFP/Getty Images

The surprise visit didn’t take much effort, especially since the royal duo are set to attend the 2022 Invictus Games in The Netherlands. So, unless they splurged on a rare direct flight from Los Angeles, they were bound to go through a travel hub—like London’s Heathrow Airport. And given the queen’s recent health scare following her COVID-19 recovery, Markle was massively overdue for an in-person meeting.

Still, the surprise visit may shock some royal aficionados. The main reason is because Prince Harry has been adamant that his security demands must be met before the Sussexes return to the U.K. The Duke of Sussex has been seeking a judicial review after his request to personally fund police protection for himself and his family was denied. In a rare statement, the royal’s rep explained that they “are unable to return to his home” unless the U.K. can grant them the right to bolster their protection during their stay.

Looks like Prince Harry made an exception for his grandmother.

Stay up-to-date on every breaking royal family story by subscribing here.

Listen to ‘Royally Obsessed,’ the Podcast for People Who Love the Royal Family

Shop Meghan Markle's Favorite Beauty Products:

Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder

65
Buy Now

Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara

Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15

24
Buy Now

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

46
Buy Now

Greta Heggeness

Senior Editor

Greta Heggeness is a California-based editor at PureWow and has been writing about entertainment since 2015. She covers everything from awards shows to exclusive celebrity...
read full bio

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.