Charles ‘invites Meghan and Harry to stay’ and is desperate to meet baby Lilibet but security row puts reunion in doubt

PRINCE Charles has invited Harry and Meghan to stay with him when they're next in the UK - and is desperate to spend time with Archie and Lilibet, it's reported.

Royal sources say the Prince of Wales has opened his home to the Sussexes and told his youngest son he'd love to see his grandchildren.

Charles hasn't seen Archie since he was six months old, and has never met baby Lilibet Diana, who was born in June.

He offered to bring the family together for the first time since Megxit in the lead-up to Christmas, reports.

And it's said he and and the Sussexes have held a series of “good-natured and enjoyable” video calls over the past few months.

However, an expert suggested today that Meghan may never return to the UK amid Harry's decision to take legal action against the Government.

It was revealed yesterday that he is preparing for a court battle after being stripped of his bodyguards.

Harry said he's desperate to bring his children home - but feels it's too dangerous for the family without Met Police protection.

His offers to pay for round-the-clock officers  — normally reserved for royals and Government officials — have been rejected as he's now a private citizen.

It comes as:

• It's feared the Queen may never meet Lilibet if Harry and Meghan decide not to return for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations
• An ex cop says the couple won't get police protection because the risk to the family is so low
• And another former officer says the Sussexes would never be put at risk - and Harry is 'creating scenarios that don't exist'
• Sun columnist Piers Morgan has blasted the Duke as a 'woefully entitled hypocrite'
• But Harry says the UK is home - and he feels 'unsafe' after a 'security breach' at an event last summer

The Duke of Sussex is understood to have told his family he'd return for a memorial service for Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey, which is planned for April.

But now a statement issued by the 37-year-old has thrown those plans into doubt.

A spokesperson said: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed whilst in the UK.

"In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home.”

One source told the publication: “The Prince of Wales has been saddened that he hasn’t had the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren, which he really does miss.

“He is a fantastic grandfather and loves playing the role immensely and it’s certainly fair to say he feels there is something missing from his life without the ability to get to know Harry’s children.

“This is something he is hoping to remedy which is why he made the gesture for Harry, Meghan and the children to stay with him if they wanted to, whenever they may come home for a period of time.

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“In the meantime there has been a series of good-natured and enjoyable calls between them all which is something the prince very much looks forward to.”

Charles, 73, is understood to have has made it clear to his son that he wishes to spend quality time with two-year-old Archie and seven-month-old Lilibet.

But royal biographer Phil Dampier says Harry's legal bid creates a "very good excuse" for not coming back.

He told Sun Online: "I don't think Meghan will ever come back to this country and I think this is a very good excuse for not coming back - I don't think realistically [Harry] expects to win this case."

And Angela Levin, who spent a year with Harry while writing his biography, said he has become "very challenging" and is "hurting" his grandmother.

"He told me many times he longed to be ordinary," she said.

"He loved going to the supermarket and buying his own food, because it gave him great pleasure to be normal. He was vivacious, intuitive and compassionate.

Charles loves Harry very much and he looks forward to them being able to spend time together in the near future

"And now here he is being so grand and pompous and superior."

Despite that, news Harry and Charles are speaking has raised hopes that the Duke's rift with the family may be healing following his decision to step back from The Firm in 2020.

The situation is likely to have worsened as a result of a series of interviews given by Harry in 2021.

In March, claims of a royal racist emerged during the bombshell chat with Oprah.

Harry also complained that he'd been cut off by Charles.

Months later, he said his family had shown "total neglect" for his mental health.

But it's now claimed the men have been on a "journey of rediscovery" and are mending their fences.

One source said: “The Prince of Wales has spoken to his son frequently in recent months.

"He loves him very much, as he does both his children, and he looks forward to them being able to spend time together in the near future.”

Clarence House did not comment.