Prince Harry Extends Olive Branch
According to the UK's Daily Mail, the Duke of Sussex quietly offered to share his official schedule of engagements with his father. In an ideal world for Harry, this will help find a time for him and King Charles to meet in person. The pair haven't been seen together since their brief meeting in February 2024 after King Charles' cancer diagnosis became public. Prior to that, the last time they came face-to-face was in September 2022, for Queen Elizabeth's funeral.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that he's optimistic about this move. "This represents a gesture of goodwill," he said. "The Sussexes should always respect the royal calendar, where natural care is taken to avoid clashes whenever possible. This is a practical move that will be appreciated. It appears the Sussexes are getting some good advice.
Royal Family Is Still 'Guarded'
A good move, sure, but is it enough? Likely not. "Well this self-serving gesture is notable, it won't do much to mitigate suspicion and caution on the royal side," royal expert Hilary Fordwich told the outlet. "King Charles is now more guarded than ever, indeed somewhat traumatized by a string of betrayals."
She added that despite Harry clearly being "desperate," the king "has expressed being cautious and way regarding fearing further unsavory leaks, especially private royal family gatherings being publicized yet again."
Plus, it's going to take a lot more to get back in Prince William's good favor. "Overall doubt still prevails in Prince William's camp," Fordwich said. "He considers any reconciliation at all as a 'grave mistake.' His senior royal courtiers are understood to be just as wary and immensely protective of the future monarch. They only see [a reconciliation] as creating more bombshells, as well as instability."
Is Reconciliation On The Horizon?
Despite this, there is still hope that the royal family will be whole again.
Meredith Maines and Liam Maguire, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's aides, were photographed in London meeting with Tobyn Andreae, King Charles' communications secretary. The trio met at the Royal Over-Seas League, a private members' club a few minutes away from the Clarence House, where King Charles lives. According to witnesses, the trio enjoyed the outdoors on the club's balcony before moving inside for a more private conversation.
Though no tidbits of their conversation were heard, a source told Daily Mail: "There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years. There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about."
Another insider added that this meeting was the "first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father," and explained, "Everybody just wants to move on and move forward now. It was finally the right time for the two sides to talk."
Neither side has addressed the conversation their aides were spotted having, in fact the last comment that Harry has made about the rift came a few months ago. Harry revealed on May 2nd that his father, King Charles "won't speak to me" despite his pleas for reconciliation.
"There's no point in continuing to fight anymore," Harry said. "Life is precious. I don't know how much longer my father has." The King, 76, is currently battling cancer. Harry also noted that he has "forgiven" his family. "There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family. It would be nice to reconcile."