Harry and Charles Set for First Reunion in 20 Months — But William Isn’t Biting
Hi, I’m Riley Carter, and honestly, I’m only slightly invested in royal drama, but this one’s too good to ignore. Let’s talk about Prince Harry and King Charles’ upcoming reunion — the first in 20 months — and why Prince William is suddenly the third wheel.
According to The Mirror, Prince Harry, 40, is set to return to the UK in early September for the WellChild Awards, where he’ll reportedly reunite with his father, King Charles, 76. This marks their first face-to-face meeting since before Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, and the first since Charles ascended the throne. Sources close to the situation say there’s a “genuine sense” that reconciliation is possible, though not guaranteed.
While the meeting is expected to be low-key — described as a “simple face-to-face conversation” rather than a dramatic royal spectacle — it’s still a big deal. The two have been estranged for years, with tensions rising after Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Harry even told the BBC earlier this year that Charles “won’t speak” to him, despite his desire for a truce.
But here’s the twist: Prince William, Harry’s older brother and the Prince of Wales, has reportedly rejected any invitation to join the meeting. Multiple insiders claim William “rejected the olive branch out of hand,” suggesting that the rift between the brothers remains deep and unresolved.
It’s not just sibling drama either. The royal family’s complicated dynamics have been under the microscope since Harry and Meghan moved to Montecito, California. The couple has publicly criticized the monarchy, and Harry’s memoir Spare didn’t exactly help matters. Still, sources say that both Harry and Charles are “determined” to make this meeting work, with communication channels now open between their teams.
Interestingly, the groundwork for this potential reconciliation may have been laid earlier this summer when Harry’s PR team was spotted meeting with the King’s communications secretary in London. While no official details were released, the meeting was described as “top-secret,” fueling speculation that the royals were quietly working behind the scenes to mend fences.
Of course, there are still hurdles. One major sticking point? Security. Harry has previously stated that he won’t bring Meghan or their two children — Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4 — to the UK without full police protection, a request he lost in court earlier this year. Meghan hasn’t returned to the UK since September 2022, and she’ll be staying in California during Harry’s visit, meaning Charles won’t get to see his grandchildren during this trip.
That’s a sore spot for the King, who’s reportedly been “deeply saddened” by the lack of contact with Archie and Lilibet. The last time he saw them was during the Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, when Archie was just 3 and Lilibet was 1. That emotional distance has only added to the tension surrounding this potential reunion.
Timing could also be tricky. Charles is set to host former U.S. President Donald Trump for a state visit at Windsor Castle on September 17, just days after Harry’s expected arrival. That means any meeting between father and son will have to be carefully scheduled to avoid overlap — and potential awkward optics.
Still, this meeting feels like a turning point. Whether it leads to a full-blown royal truce or just a polite exchange remains to be seen. But for now, all eyes are on September, and whether this long-awaited reunion will be the start of something bigger — or just another royal false start.
Anyway, that’s the deal. Do with it what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and The Mirror, New York Post, BBC
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