Prince Harry and his father, King Charles, are said to have met with their closest aides in a bid to try and heal the rift between them – and Meghan Markle is said to be supportive
A meeting between King Charles and Prince Harry’s secret aides have sparked rumours of an end to their feud(Image: Getty Images)
Following months of complete silence, there appears to be a glimmer of possibility that the bond between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles, might eventually be repaired.
A gathering of senior advisers representing both father and son has prompted many to consider this as the initial cautious moves towards reconciliation, after Harry disclosed earlier this year that they have ceased all communication.
The Duke of Sussex has made numerous allegations against his relatives, and in his divisive autobiography, Spare, claimed his brother, Prince William, had physically assaulted him and that the King prioritised his own concerns over Harry’s whilst harbouring envy towards Meghan.
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Naturally, a possible reunion between Harry and Charles could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for Meghan, who has been expanding her commercial ventures recently following the launch of her American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand.
So would she embrace a reconciliation as well?
According to BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond, she believes Meghan would certainly be encouraging, reports the Mirror.
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She told the publication: “It’s important to remember that the King and Meghan had a warm and affectionate relationship at the start. Harry wrote about how jovial and animated his father was when they used to visit him, for example, talking to Meghan about music.
“And they were both touched by his fatherly gesture of walking her down part of the aisle at their wedding. Of course, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, and emotions are still running high. But my belief is that Meghan loves Harry and wants him to be happy.
“And if a reconciliation with his father, which he has said he wants, will make him happy, then I think Meghan would be supportive.
“I think she would also welcome the chance for her children to get to know their grandfather and understand their heritage. There are unconfirmed reports that she used to send him videos of the children before the rift with Harry became so deep.
“There’s no doubt that the King would be delighted to have the chance to know Archie and Lilibet. He has already missed so much of their young lives, and children grow up so quickly.”
In recent months, Harry and Meghan’s professional paths have diverged, with Harry focusing on charitable and philanthropic work whilst Meghan has turned her attention to commercial enterprises.
So might a possible reconciliation impact Meghan’s business interests?
Jennie continued: “I don’t see that she is doing anything commercially that is distasteful or problematic. After all, the King sells jams and a wide range of products – admittedly only for charity.
“As long as she doesn’t do anything that would cause embarrassment for the Royal Family, I don’t see any difficulties. She and Harry have made a clean break as far as being official working royals are concerned. But I think most people would hope that a now elderly father and his son could be reconciled before it’s too late.
“Remember what Charles said to William and Harry as they fought in the gardens of Frogmore House after the late Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral: ‘Please, boys, don’t make my final years a misery’. A reconciliation could still be a very long way away….but if it happens, Harry will have gone some way to fulfilling his father’s wish.”
One party who appeared absent from the alleged peace talks last week was Prince William. Sources suggest he remains “deeply wounded” by Harry’s actions and has no intention of reaching out, even should his brother mend fences with other members of the Royal Family.
Jennie acknowledged that healing the rift between the siblings would prove far more challenging – particularly following Harry’s pointed remarks regarding his sister-in-law, Kate.
She explained: “It is a hugely difficult situation for a father, with loyal William at his side and rebellious Harry in California. The brothers are still miles apart in every sense. I imagine the King would have warned William about the meeting. I hope so, anyway.
“I think William might find it in his heart to forgive Harry’s jibes about their sibling rivalry, his indiscretions about their disagreements and fights. But I don’t think he is in any way ready to forgive Harry for hurting Catherine and revealing a row about bridesmaids’ dresses and a disagreement about lip gloss. Never say never, but reconciliation between William and Harry still seems a very distant prospect.”