Prince Harry and King Charles edge closer to royal reconciliation, Prince William not attending

Prince Harry is set to see his father for the first time in over two and a half years, with King Charles open to a private meeting when the Duke of Sussex returns to London in September.

The tentative thaw follows behind-the-scenes talks between the Sussex camp and palace officials, though any hope of a similar rapprochement with Prince William has been firmly dismissed.

Prince Harry is expected in London on September 8 — the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death — to attend the WellChild Awards, a charity event he has long supported. The timing coincides with the King’s presence in the UK, with no overseas visits planned until later in the month.

A US source told the Mirror: “It’s clear there is now a determination on both sides to make this happen. Nobody is pretending the wider family issues have been resolved, but this is about beginning with Charles and Harry.

“For the first time in a long time, there’s a genuine sense that reconciliation is within reach. Prince Harry’s team and the Palace have opened a line of communication, and there is every hope that father and son will see one another when the Duke returns to London in September.”

The source added: “After 20 months apart, and with the King continuing his treatment, the feeling is that the time is right to take that step. This is not about grand gestures or set-piece meetings — it’s about a simple face-to-face conversation between a father and his son.”

“The priority is privacy and dignity, but also ensuring the door stays open for further dialogue. As for Harry and William, though, any chance of reconciliation between them has been rejected out of hand.”

Meghan stays in California

While King Charles may extend an olive branch, Meghan Markle will remain in California with the couple’s two children, Archie and Lilibet. The King has not seen his grandchildren since June 2022, when the Sussexes briefly returned for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Prince Harry’s upcoming trip also follows his failed legal bid to retain UK police protection, a loss he described to the BBC as “devastating.”

At the time, he admitted he “would love a reconciliation” with his family but complained the King “won’t speak to me because of this security stuff,” adding, “I do not know how much longer my father has.”

Quiet talks behind the scenes

In recent weeks, Prince Harry’s chief communications officer, Meredith Maines and UK press handler Liam Maguire met the King’s press secretary Tobyn Andreae in London.

The talks, seen as a breakthrough, reportedly touched on avoiding clashes between Sussex projects and royal engagements, and on Prince Harry receiving direct updates about his father’s health, The Mirror reported.

Despite those conversations, trust issues continue to loom large.

Prince William remains unwilling to forgive or forget, with a separate source saying: “William feels Harry has repeatedly chosen public exposure over private resolution and that the Royal Family can’t keep being dragged into the headlines every time there’s a new contract to promote.

“The issue with Harry, as well as Meghan, is one of trust. Ever since moving to North America, they have eroded all confidence in their ability to keep things or their criticisms private. For there to be any chance of moving forward, that trust has to be rebuilt, and Team Sussex knows the onus is on them.”

Years of fallout

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan have levelled blistering criticism at the monarchy. Their Oprah interview in 2021 alleged racism within the institution and left Meghan describing herself as suicidal.

Their Netflix series accused the palace of “unconscious bias,” while Prince Harry’s memoir Spare accused Prince William of physically attacking him and painted Queen Camilla as a schemer briefing against him.

The King has been described as “deeply saddened” by the claims but continues to signal openness to reconciliation. His heir, however, is said to have hardened his position, leaving any brotherly reunion far off.