King Charles III hosted Prince Harry and his family for the first time in years on Friday, a meeting at Highgrove House west of London that represents a significant step in attempting to repair a rift that has persisted since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex departed royal life and relocated to America six years ago. Buckingham Palace confirmed the meeting between the King, Queen Camilla, Prince Harry, Meghan, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Duke of Sussex had arrived in his homeland earlier in the week for a series of charity events, though speculation about a potential meeting with his father had largely overshadowed the engagements. British tabloids and news broadcasts were rife with conjecture about whether Meghan would accompany Harry and, more importantly, if their children would be present to meet their grandfather.
The monarch’s schedule is meticulously planned years in advance, making opportunities for such a meeting fleeting. This was particularly true given the children’s need to return to school in the fall and their residence in California. Harry’s visit also coincided with the conclusion of his final lawsuit against British tabloids, where a judge ruled he failed to prove his privacy invasion claims against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
Harry has expressed a desire for reconciliation with his 77-year-old father, who is currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. While Harry and Charles had a brief meeting over tea in September during a prior London visit, it was the first time they had seen each other in over a year. However, the prince has also emphasized his wish for his children to get to know the monarch, whom they last met during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
The royal children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, are now at an age where they can remember meeting their grandfather. Although the meeting was private and no images will be publicly released, the children might hope for photographs with the King. Tensions within the family had reached a low point following the publication of Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” which contained unflattering portrayals of the royal family and allegations of a strained relationship between the monarchy and the press. Harry specifically criticized Camilla, accusing her of leaking private conversations to the media to improve her public image following her past affair with Charles.
Following a lost court battle regarding his security arrangements last year, Harry stated his hope to rebuild family relations, while also suggesting the royals may have sought to deny him police protection as a consequence of him stepping away from royal duties. “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore,” Harry told the BBC, adding, “I don’t know how much longer my father has.” Friday’s visit is seen as a step toward mending these fractured ties.
Britain’s King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince William and Prince Harry follow Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, on Sept. 19, 2022. (Henry Nicholls/Pool via AP, File)
AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports on a royal reunion.
