“Both sides had things they wanted to talk about”
Pictures said to show aides of the king and the Sussexes meeting in London were published by tabloids over the weekend. Additionally, reports claimed the recent hush-hush rendezvous was set up as both Prince Harry, 40, and his father, 76, are said to be keen to heal an alleged rift. Earlier this year, the monarch’s second son indicated he was keen to reach a detente with his family when speaking to the BBC.
However, it has subsequently been reported that Prince Harry and his wife feel let down after details concerning plans for the recent alleged secret meeting made the newspapers.
Royal ‘peace summit’ explained
Speaking in May, Prince Harry admitted: “It would be nice to reconcile.” He also seemed to acknowledge the king’s cancer battle as he noted at the time: “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has.”
Now, according to various reports, Prince Harry’s wish may be in the process of being granted. The Mail on Sunday published photos that are said to depict the Sussexes’ chief of communications, Meredith Maines, and the king’s communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae, last Wednesday (July 9).
They are said to have been joined at a private members’ club near Clarence House by the Sussexes’ UK PR.
However, the Mail didn’t speculate as to which side may have arranged the reported talks.
‘A long road ahead for King Charles and Prince Harry’
An unnamed source is said to have said the meet-up was only a “first step towards reconciliation”. However, it was apparently regarded as “a step in the right direction”.
The insider allegedly told The Mail on Sunday: “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.”
There were things both sides wanted to talk about.
Furthermore, according to The Telegraph, sources close to Prince Harry insist the couple were not responsible for passing details of the meeting on.
They are said to have acknowledged that the claims appearing on newspaper front pages was not an ideal start. It’s said they feel “frustrated” after the meeting was caught on camera.
King Charles ‘prepared’ to meet Harry
Meanwhile, another insider believes the reported meeting could prove a “significant moment” in the Sussexes’ relationships with The Firm.
A source told The Mirror: “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.
“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 will be a way forward for him to begin along the road of repairing his relationship with his father.”
However, a source is alleged to have poured cold water on the chances of Harry and William making up.
According to the Mirror, that is a “different matter entirely and one which he will find much harder to repair”.
Royal Insider has approached representatives for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Buckingham Palace, for comment.
Buckingham Palace and Mr Andreae declined to comment to MailOnline. The Sussexes’ representatives did not respond to MailOnline.
