Hopes had been high for reconciliation between Prince Harry and his estranged father King Charles – but Jennie Bond believes the Duke of Sussex may have made an error
Prince Harry attends Diana Award event
When Prince Harry finally reunited with his father King Charles for tea many believed it would be the first steps to reconciliation. The meeting marked the first time they had seen each other in person since the monarch was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024, with very few details being revealed about the meeting other than they had tea.
However, reports have now suggested that Harry found the meeting very formal and handed over a gift to his father – believed to be a framed photo of his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. But it led to Harry issuing a blistering statement via his spokesperson, hitting back at the report claiming “sources are intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son”.
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Another report alleged that Harry held the so-called “men in grey suits” – an unflattering nickname for palace aides often used by the Duke’s late mother, Princess Diana – responsible.
And for royal expert Jennie Bond, it might have been better for Harry to kept quiet about the meeting – even if he felt its description was not correct.
The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror : “I think the most critical thing to remember about all of this is that at the heart of all the noise, there is a father and son trying to repair their relationship. It is a difficult and delicate task.
“And the one fact we can clearly state is that no one except Charles, Harry and their immediate circle knows what went on during that meeting at Clarence House.
“In the face of speculation, Harry presumably instructed his team to issue a rebuttal about one or two basic points. It might have been better if he had resisted that provocation because anything and everything he says draws more publicity about this very private meeting.”
In response to Harry’s decision to quickly correct the report, palace insiders told the Times that they were “saddened and perplexed”.
“The reality is that senior aides have been working behind the scenes to improve what is a delicate but important private family relationship,” a source told the newspaper.
It is widely understood that the palace hoped, as tentative progress was made between father and son, no details would appear in the press of what went on behind closed doors.
And Jennie added: “We know absolutely nothing about what was said, how they felt or the atmosphere of the meeting. And that is how it should remain. So I think we should all stop digging and allow the family the privacy they need to work out what happens next.”
