Prince Harry Is ‘Determined’ to Reconcile With King Charles ‘Even if It Means Leaving Meghan Behind’

Something important was going down on July 9, a trio of professionals in business attire chatted over drinks at London’s Royal Over-Seas League. But this was no casual get-together — it was a royal summit.

Representing King Charles III was Tobyn Andreae, the monarch’s communications secretary. And there on behalf of Charles’ long-estranged son Prince Harry was Meredith Maines, the U.S.-based chief communications officer for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as Liam Maguire, who runs the couple’s public relations team in the U.K.

The surprise meeting was another step toward rebuilding Charles and Harry’s strained relationship. The prince, 40, “is determined to reconcile with his father, even if it means leaving [wife] Meghan [Markle] behind in the U.S.,” says a source. “She’s devastated, because she doesn’t want to lose Harry.”

It’s believed the last time the king saw his younger son was at a 30-minute meeting in London in early 2024 after Charles revealed he’d been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer. In a bombshell May interview with the BBC, Harry claimed his father “won’t speak to me.” Yet, he insisted he “would love reconciliation with my family” despite a long estrangement from his father and brother, Prince William, 43.

“There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore,” Harry said in the interview. “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has.”

It appears Charles got the message.  “There’s no doubt that timing is crucial with his health deteriorating,” says the source. “That’s why he finally responded to Harry’s calls, though indirectly.” (The Examiner understands that Maines’ July trip was a routine part of ongoing planning and engagement on behalf of the Sussexes that entailed meeting with their U.K.-based communications team as well as media, stakeholders and senior figures connected to Harry’s patronages.)

Days before the purported summit, a hint that Charles’ position was shifting emerged. On June 27, The Telegraph reported that the king’s evolving funeral plans include his wish for Harry, Meghan, 44, and their children, Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, to participate, with his younger son expected to walk alongside his brother, who would by then be King William V, in a casket procession through London.

All four Sussexes would also attend the family vigil that takes place during a deceased monarch’s lying in state at Westminster Hall, as well as Charles’ committal in the family crypt at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

It’s unknown whether Meghan will agree to attend the funeral. “Although technically she would be invited, no one would be upset if she didn’t come,” says the source. “It’s highly unlikely she would come with Harry when he has his reunion with his father. Meghan must be in tears over Harry wanting to reunite with his family so badly.”

Of course, a multitude of roadblocks remain. Royal watchers couldn’t help but point out that no representative from the Prince of Wales’ camp attended the July 9 meeting, which sparked speculation about how much — or even if — William knew about it.  “Meghan has also been kept out of the loop for the most part,” an insider reveals.

Accustomed to being in control, Meghan has questioned what it could mean for her and Harry’s future if he reforges a connection to the same people who, the couple have claimed, sanctioned attacks on them in the U.K. press.

“Meghan must be terrified the royals will lure Harry back permanently and nudge her out,” says the source, adding, “The next few months will be pivotal in determining what the royal family will look like in the future.”