The United Kingdom is preparing this week for a moment filled with expectation, with King Charles III and Prince Harry as the main figures. After months of estrangement, the Duke of Sussex’s trip to London has opened the door to a meeting that could mark a turning point between them. However, this possible face-to-face is not without very specific conditions.
The possible family meeting coincides with dates of great symbolism for the Crown and comes amid a prolonged climate of tension. Will the meeting between Charles and Harry finally take place under the monarch’s strict request, or will this much desired rapprochement be frustrated once again?
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King Charles III’s condition for the reunion with Prince Harry
Prince Harry will travel to London next week to attend the WellChild Awards charity event. It will be his first visit to the United Kingdom since April, and his return coincides with the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, on September 8.
The last meeting between Harry and Charles took place in February 2024, when the king publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis. Since then, 20 months have passed without personal contact between them, a distance that fuels rumors of a definitive break. The British press has been speculating for days about a meeting during this trip, but the truth is that there is still no official confirmation.
According to the newspaper Mirror, King Charles would have set a very clear condition. The meeting will only be possible if it takes place in the strictest privacy, with no advisors present and no media coverage. This firmness shows just how much the monarch wants to avoid leaks or public interpretations that could distort the meaning of such a delicate gesture.
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Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Express: “It makes sense for Prince Harry and the king to meet in private and build trust. If not, it’s impossible for that to happen.” With this bluntness, the commentator highlights how difficult it is for a family meeting to take place without the shadow of leaks.
In fact, Fitzwilliams pointed out that the previous conversation between both parties’ advisors was leaked, which increases the mistrust surrounding the upcoming face-to-face. “The meeting between royal advisors suggested that something could happen soon, and someone probably leaked it,” he commented. This suggests that, although bridges remain open, mistrust continues to be an insurmountable obstacle.
Meghan Markle is once again at the center of the debate
Additionally, Fitzwilliams added that if the meeting doesn’t take place, responsibility could fall on Harry and Meghan. “If King Charles doesn’t see Prince Harry during his next visit, it’s likely that the blame will fall on the Sussexes. Meghan has just attacked the Royal Family again, stating that she did not feel authentic as an active member,” he commented.
Meghan Markle‘s role in this complex scenario has once again made headlines. Her statements to Bloomberg, where she expressed that she did not feel ‘authentic’ within the institution, have been interpreted as a jab at the Royal Household.
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These words reignite the tension and reinforce the perception that Harry’s reunion with his father could become more complicated. Fitzwilliams noted that Harry’s interview with the BBC, after losing his case regarding security in the United Kingdom, was “emotional and erratic.” This showed the difficult personal moment the Duke of Sussex is experiencing.
Experts recognize that this is the ideal moment for a reconciliation
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has joined the voices calling for a rapprochement between father and son. In statements toMirror, she was clear: “I’d say a meeting between Harry and his father has been needed for a long time,” she commented.
“I’ve always thought that the role of parents is to be the most important person in any family discussion. You just have to open your arms and tell your child, even if he’s a grown-up: ‘Come here and give me a hug,'” she explained.
However, Bond also acknowledged the difficulty of applying this advice in the context of the Royal Family, marked by public reproaches since the Sussexes’ departure in 2020. According to her, Harry’s legal battle against the British Government over his security would have prolonged the distance with his father.
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Now that the legal process has concluded, Bond believes that an “important obstacle” has been removed so that a reunion can take place. Her words reflect the desire of many Britons to see Charles and Harry come closer together.
Time is running out: if the meeting doesn’t happen during this trip, the gap between King Charles III and Prince Harry could continue to widen. For this reason, the expectation in the United Kingdom is not only due to rumor, but also to the feeling that this may be the last chance for a real reconciliation.
