Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and King Charles’s ‘critical issue remains’ despite reunion | Royal | News
King Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, welcomed Prince Harry, 41, Meghan Markle, 44, and their two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, at Highgrove House on Friday, Buckingham Palace confirmed. The palace said the gathering at the King’s home in Gloucestershire was a “private family event”.
The visit marks the first time the monarch has seen Archie and Lilibet in more than four years, while Meghan and Harry met with Queen Elizabeth II. They have not visited the UK as a couple since 2022 for Elizabeth’s funeral. But royal commentator Jennie Bond suggested there was still an issue between the Sussexes and the King.
Writing in The i Paper, Jennie said the weekend could be a pivotal “moment of separation or eventual separation” between Harry and his father.
The BBC’s former royal correspondent claimed a “lack of trust” was the main issue that remained between Harry and the King following the couple’s decision to leave the UK and royal engagement to move to America in 2020.
The problem was exacerbated when Harry publicly criticized his family in both his Netflix documentary with Meghan and his tell-all memoir, Spare.
Just before the reunion was officially confirmed by the palace, Jennie wrote: “His end-of-term reports would definitely say: ‘Must do better.’ Trust, or rather lack of trust, between the two sides is still a critical issue.
“This weekend could be a make-or-break moment in the on-and-off relationship between Harry and his father.”
Despite seemingly positive progress between Harry and Charles, there are reportedly no plans for the Duke of Sussex to reunite with his brother Prince William while he and Meghan are in the UK.
Jennie also took the opportunity to praise the late Princess Diana’s family for “conducting a masterclass in diplomacy” in maintaining a good relationship with sons Harry and William despite their disagreements.
He continued: “Quietly and unhurriedly, they held true to Earl Spencer’s promise at Diana’s funeral to protect William and Harry and to let their “souls sing openly” as he had planned.
“Of course, it must be said that the Spencers were not in the line of fire during Harry’s attack on the Palace, his father, his brother and others, so they have no reason to hold a grudge.
“They performed a masterclass in diplomacy, were on good terms with both brothers and stood by Harry – for example, at the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games a few years ago, when the royal family shunned him.”
