King Charles III has been reportedly urging Prince Harry to consider buying a home in the United Kingdom, with or without Meghan Markle, to facilitate more frequent visits with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

This request from the British monarch, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, underscores his desire to maintain a closer relationship with his grandchildren, whom he has only seen once since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to California in 2020.

Royal author Tom Quinn told the Mirror U.K. that King Charles has encouraged his younger son to find a property near his residence, Highgrove House, allowing Archie and Lilibet to visit their grandfather more often. This arrangement would mirror the visits of Prince William and Kate Middleton's children, who frequently spend weekends at Highgrove.

According to Quinn, King Charles does not expect Meghan Markle to accompany Harry and the children to the U.K. and sees no issue with her potential absence. "King Charles has been putting pressure on Harry to do just this as he is angry that his only relationship with his grandchildren so far is via video calls, which Charles hates," Quinn said. "William and Kate's children would spend the weekend at Highgrove, and Harry's children could then easily pop over from their house nearby."

The call for more in-person visits comes after a significant but brief reunion last year. In June 2022, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited the U.K. with their children to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. During this visit, King Charles met Princess Lilibet for the first time and spent time with Prince Archie. A royal source described the visit as "fantastic," noting the emotional significance of Charles meeting his granddaughter and reconnecting with his grandson.

Despite this positive visit, the relationship between Prince Harry and the royal family has been fraught with tension. Shortly after the Jubilee, King Charles evicted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from Frogmore Cottage, their U.K. residence. This eviction added to the complications surrounding Prince Harry's desire to ensure his family's safety during visits to the U.K.

Prince Harry has been vocal about his concerns regarding security in the U.K. In a statement last year, he expressed his desire to bring Archie and Lilibet to his home country but emphasized the need for adequate protection. "The U.K. is my home. The U.K. is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the United States. That cannot happen if there is no possibility to keep them safe when they are on U.K. soil," he said. He further added, "I can't put my wife in danger like that, and given my experiences in life, I'm reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm's way too."

The security issue remains a significant barrier to the potential for more frequent visits, despite King Charles' wishes. Prince Harry's concerns are rooted in his past experiences and the lack of police protection for his family since stepping back from royal duties.

As the British monarch seeks to strengthen familial bonds, especially with his grandchildren, the complexities of royal security and personal dynamics continue to pose challenges. The possibility of Prince Harry purchasing a home in the U.K. remains uncertain, contingent on resolving these security concerns and the willingness of Meghan Markle to support such a move.