As peace talks are reportedly in the works to mend the years-long rift between Prince Harry and King Charles, a major player in the Sussex camp could hold the key to a long awaited reunion within the royal family
As Prince Harry and King Charles work together towards a long-awaited reconciliation between the royal family, one key player from the Sussex camp could hold the key to mending the rift between the senior working royals and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. With relationships between the royal family strained ever since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit royal life in 2020 and relocated to California, Prince Harry has recently expressed his desire to rekindle his relationship with both his father and older brother, Prince William.
Just last week, talks were held between Prince Harry’s chief communications officer, Meredith Maines, and King Charles III’s communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae. The Sussexes’ PR representative in the UK, Liam Maguire, was also reportedly present for the meeting in London.
It’s understood that the two parties conversed over “informal drinks” on the sun-drenched terrace of the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL), a private member’s club which, tellingly, has a history of promoting friendship across the globe.
Maines may very well be Harry’s secret weapon when it comes to reuniting the royal family, as she was the person who secured Prince Harry’s interview with the BBC in May, in which he said he “would love a reconciliation” with the King and Prince William, as he admitted that he was tired of fighting, and he worried about Charles’ health because he did “not know how much longer [his] father has.”
A source for The Mail on Sunday believed that the meeting with royal reps was only “the first step towards reconciliation” between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction.
“Everyone just wants to move on and move forward now,” they added. “It was finally the right time for the two sides to talk.”
Maines has only been working with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle since March of this year, but has already had a major impact on their businesses, working with both Archewell and Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever.
She shared her excitement about joining the stateside royals in a statement to Axios in late February. “I’m honoured to partner with Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to highlight the amazing work they are doing through Archewell, their broader business portfolio, and nonprofit work,” Maines said. “I’m excited to help them tell their story as entrepreneurs, builders, and philanthropists, while overseeing all communications for the couple and their ventures.”
Maines has also recently streamlined the couple’s business team, proving herself to be an invaluable asset for the Sussex camp during difficult times, and making her the perfect liaison to begin mending the royal family rift.
Prince Harry is next due to visit the UK in September, which could mean the first time meeting his father in 18 months if the talks of a reunion are to come to fruition.
While it remains unclear who made the first move between the estranged father and son to make amends via their communications teams, the meeting is being hailed as the clearest sign yet that both camps are keen to bury the hatchet after years of public potshots, explosive interviews, and family heartache.
