King Charles is said to be looking forward to reuniting with his grandchildren, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, following his recent meeting with Prince Harry at Clarence House.
The father and son met for “a private tea” on Wednesday, their first face-to-face encounter in more than 18 months, Buckingham Palace later confirmed.
Last Time Charles Saw Archie and Lilibet
Charles last met Archie and Lilibet more than three years ago, during the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022. At that time, Archie was three and Lilibet had just turned one.
According to a royal insider, reconnecting with the young Sussexes has been a strong motivation behind the King’s efforts to mend ties with Harry. “The King wants to be a grandfather to his grandchildren so that’s an important pull,” the source explained. “He was so pleased when they came over for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee and he was able to spend some time with them.”
The insider suggested that if reconciliation continues, Archie and Lilibet might see their grandfather again at Balmoral or Sandringham next year. Security remains a significant obstacle, but the source noted: “Maybe there is a way of getting them over to Balmoral or Sandringham next year or another royal residence where they are within the security perimeter.”
Harry’s Step Toward Reconciliation
Harry and Charles had last met in February 2024, shortly after the Palace revealed the King’s cancer diagnosis. This week’s meeting at Clarence House is being described as a turning point.
An insider told the Daily Mail: “It’s become clear that Harry now regrets some of his actions. He wants to reset his relationship with his family and with the people of the UK.”
While they warned it’s “hard to see him ever coming back to live in Britain,” the source added that “this may be the start of something that at least allows them to be a functioning wider family again.”
Trust and Promises
Another source called Wednesday’s meeting “an important first step towards rebuilding their father-and-son relationship,” while acknowledging that “there’s a long way to go before Harry can earn his family’s trust but he’s given some assurances.”
Those assurances reportedly included a private promise made directly to King Charles.
After the reunion, Harry described his father as “great” and later, his spokesman confirmed he had “loved being back in the UK” before preparing to return to the United States.