UPDATE: Prince Harry is set to return to London on Monday, July 9, 2024, for a children’s charity gala, raising immediate questions about a potential meeting with his father, King Charles III. The stakes are high as tensions between the two have continued to escalate in recent years.
The last encounter between Harry and Charles occurred in February 2024 when Harry flew from California to see his father, who had been diagnosed with cancer. Their meeting was brief, taking place at Clarence House, and Harry left London the next day without further engagement. With Charles now 76 and undergoing regular treatment for his undisclosed cancer, the urgency for reconciliation has grown.
Harry has returned to the UK three times since that visit, yet he has not met with Charles despite expressing a heartfelt desire for reconciliation. In a tearful interview with the BBC in May, Harry stated, “I would love reconciliation with my family” and added, “I don’t know how much longer my father has.” He lamented that his father “won’t speak to me,” emphasizing the emotional toll of their fractured relationship.
Recent reports indicate that Charles may be reaching out to Harry to explore the possibility of mending their relationship. On July 9, the king’s press secretary, Tobyn Andreae, and Harry’s new head of communications, Meredith Maines, were spotted together in London, fueling speculation about a potential meeting. They were seen with Harry’s UK spokesman, Liam Maguire, on a private terrace, prompting royal watchers to believe that a face-to-face conversation could indeed be on the horizon.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on these developments, but royal historian Ed Owens suggested that reconciliation is increasingly likely. “I think the king has recognized that it is in his interest as a public figure to look to reconcile with his son,” Owens told AFP.
Harry’s return coincides with his participation in an awards ceremony for the WellChild charity, which acknowledges the resilience of seriously ill children. Amidst his commitments, the big question remains: if a meeting occurs, where will it take place? Royal expert Joe Little noted that the recent gathering of aides signifies a potential channel of communication between Harry and Charles.
The dynamics within the royal family remain complex. Harry’s revelations in his biography Spare and his interview with Oprah Winfrey have strained relationships, particularly with his brother, Prince William. William has shown anger over criticism directed at him and his wife, Princess Catherine, and Harry acknowledges that “some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book.”
As tensions continue, Meghan Markle, Harry’s wife, has not returned to the UK since the funeral of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022. Their children, Archie, aged 6, and Lilibet, aged 4, last visited the UK during the queen’s platinum jubilee in 2022.
Any potential meeting between Harry and Charles would likely be discreet, as royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams pointed out that it would be “the first steps” in a long road to reconciliation. However, he cautioned that William remains opposed to welcoming Harry back into the family.
As developments unfold, all eyes will be on London. Will Harry and Charles seize the moment for reconciliation, or will the rift remain? Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.
