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. After years of estrangement, accusations, and emotional distance, 2026 has quietly positioned itself as a potential turning point for the relationship between Prince Harry, Meghan the Duchess of Sussex and the House of Windsor. The Royal Family has weathered scandals, shifting public sentiment, and the strain of generational transition – yet no storyline has cast a longer, more disruptive shadow than the rupture with the Sussexes. Whether 2026 is finally the year of reconciliation, or simply another year of cautious stalemate, could shape the monarchy’s future as profoundly as any constitutional change. For many observers, the question isn’t just will Harry and Meghan reconcile with The Firm, the core members of the Royal Family– but must they? Because beneath the headlines, the candid interviews, the memoirs, and the palace leaks is a deeper truth: this rift isn’t simply a family matter. It goes to the heart of the monarchy’s ability to project unity, continuity, and moral authority in the modern world. A real change or just good PR? In recent months, the tone has shifted. There haven’t been fiery interviews. The couple has avoided sharp public remarks. Palace courtiers, who often work to control the story, have leaked less – the public haven’t been privy to the finer details of communications between Harry and Charles. Meghan, meanwhile, has focused on refining her public image. Her media appearances and lifestyle projects have kept a safe distance from royal drama. Some experts suggest a new base for open talks might be taking shape. However, a change in tone does not mean the connection itself has shifted. This could just be a practical PR truce, an acknowledgment that ongoing conflict no longer benefits either party. Watching the situation is often about interpreting what goes unsaid just as much as what is stated. This time, the quiet might indicate an opportunity to make subtle moves. Amid all the tension and public distance, one meeting in September quietly shifted the mood and hinted at a thaw that few expected. Prince Harry’s brief meeting with King Charles during his visit to the U.K. added a meaningful, if understated, layer to the reconciliation narrative. Though the encounter was private and deliberately low-key, palace aides confirmed to the press that the meeting lasted longer than expected and focused primarily on family matters rather than tensions within The Firm. Sources indicate told me that King Charles expressed willingness to mend fences, but stressed discretion and reliability as key priorities. With no leaks on either side, this build trusts between them and paves the way for the reconciliation Prince Harry so desperately wants. For a father and son whose relationship has been strained by distance, public criticism, and competing loyalties, even this moment carried symbolic weight. It suggested that beneath the formal choreography of royal life, there remains a personal willingness – at least from Charles – to keep the door open. And for Harry, choosing to prioritize that meeting despite a tightly scheduled trip signalled a desire for connection rather than continued estrangement. It was not a breakthrough, but it was a beginning, the kind that often lays the foundation for more meaningful steps forward. What’s different? Reconciliation, assuming it is even underway, seems to be progressing behind closed doors in cautious small steps. The September meeting with Charles and Harry is a clear sign of that. However, there is no proof of complete resolution or an official effort toward mediation. King Charles is dealing with ongoing health issues after his cancer diagnosis and the clock is ticking to shape how people will remember his reign. Prince William feels the weight of modernizing the monarchy while protecting his family from more drama. “Prince William’s been quite vocal about what he wants to do when the time comes,” a source with ties to the palace told People Magazine, “[To be] more accessible, more approachable.” At the same time, the Sussexes are figuring out how to adjust their public image after a rough couple of years. By now, both sides have reasons to step back from conflict or at least stop making things worse. Fixing things doesn’t have to start with a big meeting or a handshake everyone sees. It can happen the way many families heal – with a simple phone call. Maybe just admitting that mistakes were made. Recognizing that both sides have suffered. Still, major challenges stand in the way. They must tackle trust issues of conflicting stories, and very different views about duty, privacy, and taking responsibility. Why the monarchy needs reconciliation The monarchy has way more at stake than just how people feel about them in surveys. The Royal Family is more than just a family – it’s a major institution that survives by appearing united and consistent. The fallout with Harry and Meghan has revealed deeper issues, like gaps between generations, problems in the system, and cultural clashes that the palace has often avoided facing. Whenever Harry and Meghan share their side, the monarchy faces tough choices. They can dismiss their comments, act as though nothing happened, or respond using other people. None of these paths works for an institution that relies on keeping things steady. Younger people in the Commonwealth are paying attention, and many already question if the monarchy still matters, with the latest YouGov poll showing that the proportion of the public with negative opinions of the royal family in general and the institution of the monarchy has increased by four points since August, to 34 per cent and 36 per cent respectively. They often see this conflict as a sign of unwillingness to change, refusal to admit harm, and a reminder of rigid tradition. Even a small act of reconciliation could show emotional growth and flexibility, qualities the monarchy needs to display after the era of Queen Elizabeth II. Where Harry and Meghan are today Rebuilding ties is no simple task for the Sussexes. They’ve shaped their identity and public image by standing up to authority sharing their personal stories and pushing for change. They cannot rebuild relationships by giving up their independence or the values that inspired Spare, the Oprah interview, or their later projects. At the same time, they are parents. Even under the weight of public criticism, Harry has stayed firm in his wish for his kids to know their grandfather, uncle, and the rest of his family. Meghan, who has faced deep hurt from both the royal institution and sections of the British media, takes a more careful approach, but it isn’t out of the question. Fixing things for them goes beyond a simple PR story. It is about emotional well-being, respect, and setting boundaries, as much as mending ties with Buckingham Palace. Does reconciliation still matter? If nothing changes, the effects will be huge and long-lasting. The monarchy will keep running with an obvious divide. Harry and Meghan will continue to carve out their own life, but they cannot avoid connections to the Royal Family. Each big royal occasion – jubilees, birthdays, or funerals – will bring up the same conversations about loyalty, absence, and separation. Even without warmth, making peace is important to keeping the institution stable and meaningful. Cold peace is still peace. For a monarchy dealing with tough questions about staying relevant, even small acts – like a shared picture, a co-ordinated speech, or a low-key private meeting – could change the story. Will 2026 be the year of big change? This year showed a unique mix of events: a monarchy trying to reinvent itself, a King focused on global diplomacy, a prince managing how his leadership will shape the future monarchy and the Sussex image taking steps forward from past drama. It is unclear if these pieces will lead to unity. Building peace is not about one single act. It comes down to ongoing choices, some seen by all, but most happening in private. The Royal Family’s future relies on its ability to stay relevant to different generations and countries. A key part of this depends on how they deal with the narrative surrounding their most well-known fallout. Harry and Meghan, who have shaped their own path, still face one chapter that they need to bring to a close. The question of 2026 isn’t simply will they reconcile. It’s whether both sides can afford not to. Not reconciling means the end of the reign of King Charles and potentially the beginning of the reign of King William marred by division and family drama. More from Afua Hagan:
