'Prince Harry's masterstroke in desperate bid to convince King he's changed'
Prince Harry's masterstroke move in desperate bid to convince King he's changed
In this week's edition of Emily in Palace, our Royal Editor discusses the Sussexes UK return, Royal Ascot, and a Father's Day snap.
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Add us as preferred source Comments By Emily Ferguson, Royal Editor 07:00, Sun, Jun 21, 2026 Updated: 07:43, Sun, Jun 21, 2026 
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After years of publicly decrying the UK as unsafe for his wife and children, Prince Harry will bring his family back to his home country next month. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will make a sensational return to Britain for the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham in July 2027.
While Harry has made solo trips to the UK several times in the past few years, Meghan has remained firmly on US soil. And their two children haven’t visited for four years, as they last came over for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the summer of 2022.
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But he has spoken about his desire to bring his two children back to his country of birth and to make amends with his family. Harry will very much be hoping that a meeting with his father will be on the cards during the family’s trip, and bringing his children will undoubtedly help facilitate that. Sources have long said that the King is saddened by his distant relationship with his youngest grandchildren, as although they Facetime from time to time, he hasn’t seen them in person for four years.
Charles, who loves spending time with the Prince of Wales’s three children, is keen to make special memories with Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, during the “fun years” where they’re full of energy and exploring the world for the first time. And it is reported that the King intervened to ensure they felt safe in the UK, offering his son and his family some of his own resources.
The five-day trip will be a major test of the Sussexes’ popularity back in Britain, after a bruising few years following their bombshell attacks on the Royal Family in TV interviews, a tell-all Netflix documentary and Harry’s memoir, Spare. But Harry is coming back with his tail between his legs, keen to make amends and make more frequent visits to the UK. Bringing his children along is a masterstroke, as it will help soften any meeting between father and son – especially as Meghan remains unpopular and is deeply untrusted behind Palace walls.
And we can be confident that there will be no trips to Windsor for Archie and Lilibet to enjoy a playdate with their cousins, as for the Prince of Wales, the door remains firmly shut. As the Harry and Meghan show comes to town, the couple will aim to paint a picture of what the Firm and the UK has lost in leaving them no choice but to leave. However, many of us will be unconvinced by the PR drive - though will remain glued to our screens as the events unravel before us. Time to get the popcorn ready.
Royal Ascot triumph
Royal Ascot is always a fun-filled week, observing the weird and wonderful hats, exquisite dresses and the jubilation when you bag a winner. And it was very much business as usual this year, with the Princess of Wales returning for the first time in three years.
She had missed the prestigious horse-racing event due to her cancer treatment and recovery but was back with a bang in bright yellow on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the King and Queen attended every day and appeared to enjoy the social occasion every bit as much as the late Queen Elizabeth did.
They watched with trepidation as their fillies attempted to bag first prize, and enjoyed catching up with friends and family in the royal box in between races. It was a particularly special moment when newlyweds Peter and Harriet Phillips enjoyed their first public outing together as a married couple on opening day.
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. It’s set to be a scorcher today, so I’ll be ensuring mine cools down with a refreshing beer. Ours is set to be a busy one as my fiancé’s family is joining us for a BBQ, allowing the two families to meet for the first time (wish us luck!)
And the Ferguson-Slisz clan aren’t the only one set for a busy Sunday, as it will be double celebrations in the Wales household as the Prince of Wales will also be celebrating his 44th birthday.
Many happy returns to the future King, and I’m sure we can look forward to a picture moment to mark the twin milestone.
Shocking data breach
It’s shocking that a healthcare professional tried to sell the Princess of Wales’s private medical records while she was an inpatient at the exclusive London Clinic in Marylebone following major abdominal surgery in January 2024.
The former employee has been cautioned by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for the “deliberate misuse of highly sensitive personal information”. The employee was dismissed from her role following an internal investigation and struck off the medical register. The disgraceful invasion of her privacy highlights the dark side of being a member of the Royal Family, being used as a pawn for financial gain.
It’s been a hugely distressing period for Catherine, and she and the family will no doubt be relieved that the sorry saga has finally come to an end.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
