The long-awaited reunion between King Charles and his US-based grandchildren is expected to happen next month when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex return to the UK.
But it’s the other family feud − between Prince William and Prince Harry − that has royal watchers hoping for a breakthrough.
Prince Harry will return to the UK in July where his two children are expected to see the king but a reunion with Prince William, and his family, is unlikely. Getty
While many observers believe a thawing of relations between the two is unlikely anytime soon, one of the royal family’s closest and most trusted aides isn’t so sceptical.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton worked for the late Queen Mother for years before becoming the longstanding private secretary to both Prince William and Prince Harry, guiding the brothers through their military careers and royal lives for a decade, starting when they were 22 and 20.
He was the one to show Kate Middleton, the now Princess of Wales, the ropes when she married into the royal family in 2011.
The now 65-year-old is retired but he’s written a novel and spoke to The Times about his years working within the royal household.
When asked about a possible reunion between the brothers he said: “I think I’d better steer clear of that Harry issue”.
Lowther-Pinkerton added: “What I would say is that I was and am very fond of [Prince Harry].
“He has huge redeeming features and I’m a perennial optimist.”
There’s a lot of discussion about Prince Harry and Meghan’s plans to return to the UK next month which is expected to see the duke and his children spend time with King Charles.
The Prince of Wales remains estranged from his brother but King Charles has offered an olive branch of sorts by allowing Harry and his family to stay in a royal residence. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
The 77-year-old monarch last saw Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, in June 2022 when the Sussexes were in the UK for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
The king has offered the Sussexes one of the royal residences to stay in but sources close to the monarch have denied reports Charles has offered to pay for Prince Harry’s additional private police provision.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on a possible reunion, describing it as a private family matter.
Prince Harry last saw his father in September last year during a private tea at Clarence House in London which lasted less than an hour.
Tensions between the royals and the Sussexes have been strained since Harry and Meghan left their roles in 2020 for a new life of financial independence in California.
While Prince Harry and Meghan decision to visit the UK with Archie and Lilibet may end the rift between the Sussexes and the monarch, the duke’s relationship with his estranged brother Prince William isn’t likely to improve.
“The king, as Harry’s father, is more inclined to forgive and forget than William who is still very angry about Oprah, the Netflix series and Spare,” royal commentator Camilla Tominey told Today.