Meghan Markle reportedly sees enormous value in Archie and Lilibet embracing their royal heritage. This is according to a source who spoke to Star following the family's secretive reunion with King Charles at Highgrove House.
While this sounds like a warm family update, it also hints at deeper complexities, including ongoing security challenges Harry has faced and a Palace that has remained mostly silent. Add to that, the children have only met their grandfather once in the past four years.
Behind the Closed Doors at Highgrove
On 10 July, Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted Harry, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet at Highgrove, the King's private estate in Gloucestershire. This was the first time Charles had seen his grandchildren since the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022, when Archie was three years old, and Lilibet was just one.
The family arrived and left without any official photographs being taken, and their meeting reportedly lasted over an hour behind closed doors. The timing of the visit coincided with a Chanel event already happening on the grounds, allowing their car to pass by mostly unnoticed by photographers. Buckingham Palace has not offered any further information about the visit or what it might mean for future family access.
The Missing Piece of the Story
An unnamed source told Star that Meghan sees 'enormous value' in the children embracing their royal heritage, claiming it will strengthen the family's prospects and the future of her brand. It is a bold statement, but it remains entirely unverified, with no official response from the Sussexes.
The quote also overlooks the most obvious person in the room: Harry. While the entire narrative hinges on his bloodline, he is barely mentioned. Reports briefly note that he wants Archie and Lilibet to take pride in their official titles and places in the line of succession. If anyone is actually guiding the children to connect with their UK roots, these accounts suggest it is their father leading the way—not a branding strategy from Meghan.
The Real Reason Archie and Lilibet Rarely Visit
What the 'enormous value' narrative skips entirely is why these visits are so rare in the first place. Since 2020, Harry has been in conflict with the UK government over the reduction of his taxpayer-funded security. He lost his case at the High Court in February 2025 and again at the Court of Appeal that May.
The judges ruled that the process was lawful, although they acknowledged that his sense of grievance was genuine. Harry has stated that he does not feel comfortable bringing his family to Britain without guaranteed protection. This legal reality has significantly influenced how often Archie and Lilibet visit their father's home country.
Strategy or Speculation?
Leaning into royal roots to boost a brand would be a huge U-turn for a couple whose main selling point has been independence. Their projects, including Netflix documentaries, a brief Spotify partnership and Meghan's 'As Ever' lifestyle line, have never leaned on royal imagery to sell. But as their early multi-million-dollar deals start to wind down, it's no surprise people are looking for their next big move.
Still, there's a big difference between a PR theory and reality. Strip away the headlines, and the facts are simple: a short meeting behind closed doors, no public photos, and strict court rulings that limit the family's visits. Until someone goes on the record, all this talk about 'brand equity' is just a single source's claim against the Royal Family's silence.
