King Charles III is reportedly cautious about moving toward a full reconciliation with his son, Prince Harry, despite the two holding a private meeting in the UK last year. Royal commentators say the King remains guarded after years of public tension and strained relations.
King Charles and the Duke of Sussex met privately at Clarence House during Prince Harry’s visit to Britain in September. The meeting marked their first face-to-face encounter in almost two years and initially sparked speculation that it could lead to a thaw in relations between the estranged father and son.
However, hopes of reconciliation were quickly dampened after Prince Harry publicly dismissed media reports suggesting improving ties. He said such stories were “intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son,” highlighting ongoing frustration over press coverage and palace briefings.
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Writing in the Daily Mail, royal editor Rebecca English suggested that King Charles agreed to the meeting partly to avoid future criticism. She wrote that refusing to see Prince Harry could have been used against the monarch later, putting him under pressure to agree to the meeting.
According to English, rather than encouraging closer contact, the encounter appears to have made the King more cautious. She noted that royal circles have been reluctant to discuss details of the meeting due to concerns about leaks and possible reactions from the Sussexes.
English said the impression was that the King felt somewhat pushed into the meeting. She added that he likely believed refusing would have been “weaponised” against him. As a result, his approach now seems to be to meet once and then step back, instead of reopening regular communication.
The situation reflects continued sensitivity within the royal family, with trust issues and media scrutiny still playing a major role in shaping relationships behind palace doors.
