Royal Rapprochement? Prince Harry Holds Secret Meeting With King Charles

Amid King Charles III’s battle with cancer and the deep divisions within the British royal family, Prince Harry met privately with his father for tea at Clarence House on Wednesday, the first such meeting in 18 months. The rare encounter has sparked fresh speculation about a possible reconciliation.

Harry, the Duke of Sussex, returned to the UK this week to support charities close to his heart and to mark the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. During his visit, he laid flowers at her grave in Windsor before making his way to the king’s residence for the highly anticipated meeting.

The last time Charles and Harry were seen together was in February 2024, shortly after the king’s cancer diagnosis was made public. Their renewed meeting is widely regarded as a breakthrough moment, following years of strained communication.

The rift within the royal family dates back to 2020, when Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back from senior royal duties and relocated to California. Tensions only escalated with the publication of Harry’s memoir, Spare, which exposed intimate family details and widened the divide, particularly between him and his elder brother, Prince William.

While the meeting with Charles is being read as a positive step, relations between the brothers remain frosty. The last time they were publicly seen together was in August 2024 at their uncle’s funeral, where they kept their distance. William’s aides were notably absent from this week’s private talks.

In May, Harry had publicly expressed his willingness to reconcile, saying:

Despite lingering resentment, royal observers believe Charles feels a duty to heal the family fractures and welcome Harry back into the fold. Still, a full reunion appears distant, especially as Prince William, the heir to the throne, shows little interest in reconciliation for now.