Afua Hagan: Is the Royal Family now ready for Harry’s return?

CTV’s Royal Commentator Afua Hagan on if King Charles and Prince Harry are any closer to reconciliation after their meeting in London.

Afua Hagan is a contributor to CTVNews.ca, focusing on the Royal Family. Based in London and Accra, Hagan is a regular commentator on the royals across a variety of international outlets, and is a leading voice on diversity in Britain.

In a pivotal encounter filled with significance, tension, and potential reconciliation, Prince Harry and King Charles III convened for tea at Clarence House on Wednesday afternoon, marking their first in-person meeting after 19 months.

This private moment, though short in duration, could represent the beginning of a gradual healing in the family divide that emerged when Harry and Meghan withdrew from royal duties in 2020.

The meeting took place during Prince Harry’s four-day British visit, coinciding with the third memorial of Queen Elizabeth II’s death. It follows a period of fractured relationships, between Harry and the King, and Harry and his brother, which originated from several unresolved conflicts that grew worse after Harry and Meghan left their royal duties in January 2020.

• Complete Royal Family coverage

Their relationship’s main breaking point centres on the security dispute, where Harry consistently emphasized that security “has always been the sticking point.” Harry revealed to the BBC in May 2025 that his father “won’t speak to me because of this security stuff.” He claimed the royal household influenced the security downgrade.

Harry’s memoir Spare created an even bigger divide between them by revealing private conversations and making accusations against family members. His book described his father as “emotionally cold” and labelled his brother William as his “arch nemesis.” While Harry mentioned having enough material for another book, he said he kept certain details private because “they would never forgive me.”

Harry’s frequent media appearances severely damaged their trust. He shared family grievances openly through an Oprah Winfrey interview, Netflix documentary, and BBC statements. The situation deteriorated to the point where King Charles stopped taking his son’s calls or responding to his letters. Royal sources stated that the monarch “has been forced to cut contact” because “all trust has been broken.” Harry acknowledged in May that “life is precious” and expressed uncertainty about “how much longer my father has.”

A ‘short but meaningful’ reunion

Prince Harry met his father at Clarence House, arriving in a black Range Rover at 5:20 p.m. London time. The King made special arrangements to travel from Balmoral in Scotland to London to accommodate their meeting.

The father-son reunion lasted 54 minutes, which was substantially longer than their previous 30-minute meeting in February 2024. Prince Harry left around 6:14 p.m. and briefly told reporters his father was “great” when asked about him.

Although specifics of their 54-minute conversation remain confidential, a palace source concurs it was “short but meaningful and significant” -- an interaction seemingly arranged discreetly to prevent press speculation, while publicly signalling a potential fresh start.

Sources say that King Charles expressed willingness to mend fences, but stressed discretion and reliability as key priorities. As a palace source noted: “The ball is in Harry’s court.” If the details of this meeting remain between Charles and Harry, with no leaks on either side, then this will build trust between them and could pave the way for the reconciliation Prince Harry so desperately wants.

Recent developments suggested improving relations between the royals. Harry’s communications team leader, Los Angeles-based Meredith Maines, met with the King’s press representative Tobyn Andreae at a London private members’ club in July. Some called this meeting “the secret Harry peace summit,” paving the way for this meeting to happen.

A reunion with William isn’t in the cards soon

So, what about Prince William? Well, this is where things become a bit more complex. The heir apparent is noticeably missing from these developments. While his father and brother were meeting, he continued his royal commitments, including his presence at World Suicide Prevention Day events in Cardiff, more than 240 kilometres away from London.

Royal sources say William has shut down any chance of reuniting with his younger brother. The Prince of Wales believes that Harry chooses “public exposure over private resolution.” Years of public accusations have destroyed the trust between them.

“William feels Harry has repeatedly chosen public exposure over private resolution and that the Royal Family can’t keep being dragged into the headlines every time there’s a new contract to promote,” a palace insider shared.

The path to brotherly reconciliation appears lengthy, with William’s side maintaining silence. Royal experts indicate that mending the relationship between Harry and William would require a meaningful and significant action – potentially involving an expression of regret or acknowledgment from Harry’s side. There is no chance there will be a private meeting between William and Harry on this trip. That meeting will take time, discretion, and genuine trust-building beyond media scrutiny.

Is complete royal reunification imminent? Not exactly. The relationship between Harry and the King shows signs of thawing, yet between the royal brothers it remains ice-cold. Multiple revelations have severely impacted confidence and trust on both sides. Nevertheless, the tea gathering shows signs of Charles wishing to strengthen family bonds in his later years. Harry himself has said in a May interview with BBC News that “continuing conflict serves no purpose,” and emphasized “life’s precious nature.”

While today’s meeting won’t heal all past wounds, its symbolism matters and cautious optimism prevails, suggesting that even royal divisions, once created, might be bridged through understanding, empathy and patience.

More from Afua Hagan:

• Royal whispers and revelations revealed in new tell-all book
• Prince Andrew’s ‘Reckoning’: A royal crisis that won’t go away
• Meghan’s products are proof that ‘As ever’ is more than just a brand