A Royal Turning Point

Prince Harry is eyeing a potential face-to-face meeting with his estranged father, King Charles III, during an upcoming U.K. visit. Royal sources and experts discuss where Charles stands on a possible sit-down — it would be their first since February 2024 — and (finally) putting their feud to rest

- by JAIME HARKIN

On Aug. 24, members of the royal family attended a church service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where they are spending the final weeks of summer. Decamping to the idyllic property nestled in the Scottish Highlands has been a royal tradition since 1852, and this year brought a sizable group: King Charles III and wife Queen Camilla have been joined by Prince William and Princess Kate and their three kids, the king's sister Princess Anne and husband Sir Timothy Laurence (with her son, Peter Phillips, and new fiancée Harriet Sperling), and Prince Edward and his wife, Duchess Sophie. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were also expected to descend upon Balmoral for the annual family vacation.

Not surprisingly, Charles' estranged son, Prince Harry, and wife Meghan Markle did not make the guest list. The father and son have been on the outs since Harry, 40, left his royal post in 2020. They appeared to make some headway in July when members of their respective teams met in the U.K. — seemingly to open up the lines of communication — but a source tells Us progress has been slow, and that they haven't spoken outside of a “brief phone call” for the king's 76th birthday late last year.

Now, a sliver of hope for the pair: There's potential for a face-to-face meeting when Harry arrives in England for the WellChild Awards, traditionally held in September. According to royal sources and experts, Harry is on board, but the ball is in Charles' court. And the king, who is currently battling cancer, is torn. “Charles does want to meet Harry,” says a royal insider. “He doesn’t want this falling-out to overshadow his legacy. But Harry has caused chaos and hurt, so it’s complicated.” Adds royal historian Marlene Koenig: “If there is a meeting, it will be private and more likely to be on the king’s terms rather than Harry’s.”

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