Hopes have been raised that the channel of communication between Prince Harry and King Charles is beginning to open – and an expert has predicted what this could mean for Meghan Markle
After months of radio silence, there seems to be a flicker of hope that the relationship between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles, could potentially be mended.
A meeting of top aides for both father and son has led many to believe it is the first tentative steps in them reconciling after Harry revealed earlier this year they are no longer on speaking terms. The Duke of Sussex has levelled a series of accusations against his family, and in his controversial memoir, Spare, said his brother, Prince William, had physically attacked him and that the King put his own interests above Harry’s and was jealous of Meghan.
Of course, a potential reunion between Harry and Charles could have a wide-ranging effect, not least on Meghan, who has been building her business empire of late after launching her As Ever lifestyle brand.
So would she welcome a reunion, too? Well, according to BBC royal expert Jennie Bond, she believes Meghan would definitely be supportive.
She explained to the Mirror : “It’s important to remember that the King and Meghan had a warm and affectionate relationship at the start. Harry wrote about how jovial and animated his father was when they used to visit him, for example, talking to Meghan about music.
“And they were both touched by his fatherly gesture of walking her down part of the aisle at their wedding. Of course, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, and emotions are still running high. But my belief is that Meghan loves Harry and wants him to be happy.
“And if a reconciliation with his father, which he has said he wants, will make him happy, then I think Meghan would be supportive.
“I think she would also welcome the chance for her children to get to know their grandfather and understand their heritage. There are unconfirmed reports that she used to send him videos of the children before the rift with Harry became so deep.
“There’s no doubt that the King would be delighted to have the chance to know Archie and Lilibet. He has already missed so much of their young lives, and children grow up so quickly.”
In recent months, Harry and Meghan’s careers have gone in different directions, with Harry concentrating on charity and philanthropic efforts and Meghan focusing on her business ventures.
So would a potential reconciliation have repercussions for Meghan’s business? Jennie added: “I don’t see that she is doing anything commercially that is distasteful or problematic. After all, the King sells jams and a wide range of products – admittedly only for charity.
“As long as she doesn’t do anything that would cause embarrassment for the Royal Family, I don’t see any difficulties. She and Harry have made a clean break as far as being official working royals are concerned. But I think most people would hope that a now elderly father and his son could be reconciled before it’s too late.
“Remember what Charles said to William and Harry as they fought in the gardens of Frogmore House after the late Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral: ‘Please, boys, don’t make my final years a misery’. A reconciliation could still be a very long way away….but if it happens, Harry will have gone some way to fulfilling his father’s wish.”
One party that didn’t seem involved in the so-called peace summit last week was Prince William. According to a source, he remains “deeply wounded” by Harry and has no plans to contact him, even if he reconciles with other Royal Family members.
And Jennie said it would be a much harder task to reconcile the brothers – especially after Harry’s barbs about his sister-in-law, Kate.
She said: “It is a hugely difficult situation for a father, with loyal William at his side and rebellious Harry in California. The brothers are still miles apart in every sense. I imagine the King would have warned William about the meeting. I hope so, anyway.
“I think William might find it in his heart to forgive Harry’s jibes about their sibling rivalry, his indiscretions about their disagreements and fights. But I don’t think he is in any way ready to forgive Harry for hurting Catherine and revealing a row about bridesmaids’ dresses and a disagreement about lip gloss. Never say never, but reconciliation between William and Harry still seems a very distant prospect.”
