King Charles reportedly sees Prince Harry’s return to the U.K. as a rare chance to bring his family closer again.
Harry, Meghan Markle and their children are preparing to spend more time in Britain, and Charles hopes the move may one day help Harry and Prince William repair their broken relationship.
King Charles Wants Harry and William to Reconnect
Harry and Meghan are moving back to Britain for an extended stay with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The children have reportedly joined a school in the U.K. and will start classes in September. Harry and Meghan will also keep their home in Montecito, California, while setting up a private home in Britain.
Related: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Royal ‘Dream Home’ Wish Reportedly Got Shut Down By Queen Elizabeth
The move means Charles will have Harry and his two younger grandchildren much closer to him. The King is still undergoing cancer treatment and reportedly hopes the move could help bring Harry and William back together. “He will want to see his sons together over time,” a source close to the royal household said. “This is the best opportunity we have seen in recent years.”
Charles and Harry have also made some progress lately. They reportedly met privately at Highgrove in July, where Charles saw Archie and Lilibet for the first time in more than four years. “That was a real positive,” an ally said. Another source added, “The King would love to have Harry around.”
William Is Still Not Ready to Make Peace
Charles has wanted his sons to fix their relationship for years. Harry wrote in his 2023 memoir, Spare, that after Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021, Charles told them: “Please, boys, don’t make my final years a misery.”
In case you missed it: Royal Fans Spot A Striking Princess Diana Connection In Meghan Markle’s New Vacation Photos
But Harry’s return does not mean all the problems are gone. Charles reportedly found out about Harry and Meghan’s plans only a few days before the news became public. Harry and William are also still in “no contact,” according to several sources.
William and Kate Middleton were at Balmoral with Charles when the news broke, but they did not publicly react. Sources say William still feels deeply hurt by Harry and Meghan’s 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, their Netflix series and Harry’s memoir. “It is going to be challenging for William. It will be very hard for him and Catherine,” a royal source said. “There is a deep sense of betrayal.”
Harry’s Return Could Change Things Over Time
William and Kate are reportedly trying not to make any “knee-jerk reaction” to the Sussexes’ return. Sources believe any reunion “will be a slow build.” The couple are also busy with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis along with their royal duties and Kate’s continued recovery from cancer.
“They have suffered a lot,” a palace insider said. “They have been dutiful, doing what they do well and keeping the family together. Anything else, from their point of view, isn’t critical.”
Harry’s move could still make the family rift harder to avoid. Since Harry and Meghan moved to North America in 2020, the distance made it easier for both sides to live separate lives. Now Archie and Lilibet will also be much closer to George, Charlotte and Louis, even though the cousins currently have no relationship. “It’s going to be very hard for the family to ignore their presence — the kids, especially,” a California source said.
Nobody expects Harry’s return to fix everything overnight. Years of hurt and mistrust are still there, and both sides reportedly feel they are owed an apology. Still, Charles will now have both sons and all five grandchildren in the same country.
You might also like to read: Prince Louis Is the Crown’s ‘Secret Weapon’ and Royal Insiders Reveal Why
