For the first time in 19 months, King Charles III and his youngest son, Prince Harry, sat down together over tea at Clarence House on September 10, 2025. The nearly hour-long meeting, described by insiders as an “important first step towards rebuilding their father-and-son relationship,” has sparked hope—and a flurry of speculation—about the possibility of a wider royal reconciliation. But as with all things Windsor, the path forward is far from simple.
According to the Daily Mail, the King is eager to play a more active role in the lives of his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, whom he has seen only sporadically since their parents relocated to the United States. “The King wants to be a grandfather to his grandchildren so that’s an important pull,” one royal source told the paper. “He was so pleased when they came over for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee and he was able to spend some time with them.”
That Platinum Jubilee visit, back in June 2022, marked the last time Charles saw both Archie and Lilibet. In fact, the King has met Lilibet only once and Archie just a handful of times, reported the Evening Standard. For the royal family, known for its traditions and public displays, the absence of the youngest Sussexes has been keenly felt—especially by Charles, who is said to be motivated by a desire to bridge the generational gap.
But what, exactly, prompted this latest thaw in relations? Insiders suggest that Harry, now several years removed from his dramatic departure from royal duties, has begun to reflect on the consequences of his actions. “It’s become clear that Harry now regrets some of his actions. He wants to reset his relationship with his family and with the people of the UK,” the Daily Mail quoted a source as saying. “It’s hard to see him ever coming back to live in Britain but this may be the start of something that at least allows them to be a functioning wider family again.”
Harry’s recent four-day visit to the UK, packed with philanthropic engagements and capped by the private meeting with his father, was widely seen as a success. Renae Smith, founder of PR agency The Atticism, told The Express that Harry’s approach was “slow and steady,” and praised the authenticity of his appearances. “Every engagement felt genuine, with a clear philanthropic thread running through it. I’ve always said philanthropy is his safest and strongest space. It plays to his strengths without inviting controversy,” Smith explained. She added, “The meeting with his father was also handled well. It wasn’t dramatic, it didn’t spark gossip, and that quieter energy is exactly what he needs.”
Indeed, Harry was careful to avoid the media circus that has often accompanied royal family rifts. After the meeting, he attended an Invictus Games event, where he joked to guests about his tardiness, saying many “might be drunk.” But when it came to the substance of his conversation with the King, Harry kept silent—a condition reportedly insisted upon by Charles if their contact was to continue. As reported by the Evening Standard, “He has told his father he won’t be giving any interviews about it and his team have been instructed not to brief journalists about what was said.”
Yet, even as the first steps toward reconciliation are taken, significant obstacles remain. Chief among them: security. Since stepping down as working royals, Harry and Meghan lost their taxpayer-funded police protection, and Harry has been engaged in a protracted legal battle with the Home Office to restore it. “There are all sorts of obstacles to that happening again because of Harry’s insistence that they have guaranteed armed police protection,” a royal insider noted. While the Sussexes would likely receive armed bodyguards while visiting the King, the uncertainty has made planning a wider family reunion—particularly one involving young children—fraught with complications.
One proposed solution? A reunion at Balmoral or Sandringham, two royal estates with robust security perimeters. Sources suggest that such a gathering could take place as early as next year, though whether Meghan Markle will join remains unclear. The Duchess of Sussex has not visited the UK since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022, and her participation in any future family event is still up in the air.
Notably absent from the recent meeting were Prince William and Kate Middleton, who had other engagements. According to the Daily Mail, William was aware of the meeting but chose not to attend. “It’s not clear how happy he is about it but, you know, sooner or later most families reach some sort of accommodation after a family rift,” a royal source observed. The last time William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan were seen together was during a visibly awkward walk at Windsor Castle following the Queen’s death—a moment that underscored the depth of the family’s divisions.
The public, for its part, has watched the royal feud with a mix of fascination and empathy. As The Independent’s Polly Hudson put it, “The family feud proved to be the great leveller. A fallout, a fight, some bad – albeit blue – blood. It showed that the myth of the perfect family was just that, and made it clear money cannot buy happiness, or peace.” The saga has given ordinary Britons a relatable lens through which to view the monarchy, especially during the ongoing cost of living crisis. “Everyone had an opinion on it, so was a guaranteed conversation starter, and something that could rescue almost all uncomfortable silences,” Hudson wrote.
Still, the wounds of “Megxit”—Harry and Meghan’s high-profile exit from royal life—remain fresh for many. The issue continues to cast a long shadow over any attempts at reconciliation, serving as a reminder of the challenges that come with balancing duty, family, and personal happiness. As Hudson wryly noted, “Even if the Windsors do reunite, we will always have ‘Megxit.’”
For now, the King and his son have taken a tentative step toward healing, buoyed by their shared desire to reconnect as family. Whether this will lead to a full reunion—including Archie and Lilibet—remains to be seen. But in a monarchy where tradition often trumps emotion, even a single cup of tea can be a powerful gesture.