A major shift in royal relations may be underway following the bombshell revelation that senior aides from King Charles and Prince Harry held a behind-the-scenes peace summit in London. The meeting has sparked speculation that father and son could reunite in just a few weeks.
Quiet Meeting Opens the Door to Reconciliation
Earlier this year, Prince Harry revealed he and his father were no longer speaking—another low point in a strained relationship that has played out publicly for years. But that may be starting to change.
According to The Sun’s royal editor Matt Wilkinson, Harry gave his approval for a low-key meeting that recently took place at a private members’ club in the capital. Representing Harry were two of his senior staff, Meredith Maines and Liam Maguire. On the King’s side was his and Queen Camilla’s communications director, Tobyn Andrae.
Photos from the discreet gathering were published over the weekend in The Mail on Sunday, confirming the high-stakes nature of the conversation.
No Return to Royal Duties—Yet
While the talks focused on healing the rift between Harry and the King, insiders stressed that any formal return to royal life was “not on the agenda.”
“There’s a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years,” a source told The Mail.
“There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about.”
It’s still unclear who initiated the meeting, and notably, no representatives from Prince William’s team took part.
Hope from the King’s Side
Despite the long-standing tension, the King has reportedly remained open to reconciliation. A royal insider shared:
“The King has consistently shown he loves both his sons and, as he has done in the past, is prepared to meet Harry when their diaries allow.”
The source continued:
“It’s not unusual for aides from different households to meet, especially when there is a new influx of staff starting, but this is a significant moment.
If there is a period of calm and reflection on the part of the duke, then there be a way forward for him to begin along the road of repairing his relationship with his father.”
An Opportunity in September
Harry is scheduled to return to the UK in September for the annual WellChild Awards, where he serves as patron. This event could offer a rare opportunity for a face-to-face meeting between Harry and the King—their first since Harry’s brief visit in early 2024, when he traveled to London following his father’s cancer diagnosis.
Should a reunion occur, it would represent a turning point in a family feud that has simmered since before Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and moved to California.
Big Month Ahead for the Royals
September is shaping up to be a packed month for the royal family, with news just announced that King Charles and Queen Camilla will host US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a state visit.
Harry’s Olive Branch
The secret meeting comes on the heels of Harry’s candid BBC interview in May, where he expressed a desire to move forward with his family after years of public tension.
“There’s no point in continuing to fight any more,” Harry told the broadcaster.
“Life is precious … Forgiveness is 100 per cent a possibility because I would like to get my father and brother back.”
In another apparent gesture of goodwill, The Mail on Sunday recently reported that Harry had agreed to invite members of the royal family to attend the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham—a move that could mark the first time the family is seen together publicly since 2022.
A source told the paper:
“[Harry] agreed that Invictus should extend an invitation to his family.”
If accepted, it may pave the way for more shared appearances—and possibly a renewed sense of unity for the fractured royal household.