Prince Harry and King Charles' Aides Took a 'Good First Step': 'There's Optimism'

JFC when are Brits gonna dust off the guillotine.

The Mail on Sunday was first to report the discreet sit-down.

The informal conversation — which took place at the Royal Over-Seas League, a private members’ club just a short walk from Charles’ London residence, Clarence House — included what appeared to be a gift bottle of wine brought by Andreae.

And, PEOPLE understands, there was plenty to discuss. “It was a good first step,” says an insider. “It is always better to be talking.”

Maines was in London for official business tied to her role as Chief Communications Officer to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Her visit included scheduled meetings with U.K.-based members of the Sussex communications team, media contacts, stakeholders and senior figures connected to Harry’s charitable work. The sit-down marked the first time either Maines or Maguire had met Andreae.

Some close to the palace have downplayed the long-term significance of the meeting, framing it as a routine professional exchange between senior communications staff who simply need to know and understand one another. Still, the reality remains: this kind of dialogue hasn’t taken place in the recent past — and now, lines of communication appear to be reopening.

“It’s a positive step,” the insider adds. “There’s optimism that it can be taken forward.”

It’s also not known whether Harry and Charles have spoken recently — or whether the July 9 meeting signals the start of something more meaningful. Ultimately, any real success from the talks at the London private members’ club will be measured by whether Harry and Charles themselves — not just their teams — can begin to repair their fractured relationship.

In May, Harry reaffirmed his hope for healing, telling the BBC that the door to “reconciliation” remains open from his side. “I would love reconciliation with my family,” he said. “There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.” His comments came shortly after he lost a key legal battle over his request for official security for himself and his family — a decision he has partly blamed on his father. (The palace has consistently maintained that King Charles does not have control over that process.)

But who leaked this meeting to the press? The Palace? I can't find any motivation except to show the King is not implacable. The Sussexes? They deny it, but they are big on leaking. Just Meghan, behind Harry's back? She is a person who seems to control her partner, isolating him from all of his (and nearly all of her) relatives. Maybe she doesn't want a rapprochement between Harry and Charles because she has no intention of coming back to the UK and she doesn't want Harry (and the kids) drawn there.

Generally I ignore royal family posts. But this is a guy who lost his mother with all of the accompanying gore when he was 12. He’s been estranged from his dying father, and it would be heartbreaking if Charles passed away before they could reconnect. Did Harry overplay his hand? Absolutely. But we all make mistakes, ours just don’t hit all of the news outlets every time we do.

These aren’t Gaza peace talks. They all sound ridiculous.

A "good first step" only because SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED wasn't in the room, too.

If anything was really happening, this obvious leaking will kill it stone dead.

R4 that’s all well and good but Harry has demanded an apology for unspecified grievances and the palace thinks he nuts.

[quote]These aren’t Gaza peace talks.

So you're saying there's a chance.

R9 perfect post! 🤣🤣🤣

People Magazine is the bullshit mouthpiece of Harry and Markle.

Don't believe it.

Over my dead body.

I like you, R4. I agree.

I would love to send a team to hash out any personal relationship issues.

[quote] Over my dead body.

[quote] —King William V

Why would William be opposed to reconciliation?

Unless he's jealous of Harry's relationship with Charles.

I'd just bet that if Charles ever did make up with Harry, that William would stop talking to Charles, too.

What do all these people who work for PH and HRH do all day? I just dont see these as job jobs.

If Charles wants Stooge to get anything, he'd better hurry because Heir will have his gelding knife and sow butcher ready.

[quote] Why would William be opposed to reconciliation?

Because William's first loyalty is to protecting the monarchy and Harry's first loyalty is to his lunatic wife who is never placated and always aggrieved. Harry and Meghan have attacked the monarchy relentlessly and will do so again.

If you invite that asshole and his corpse of a wife for a weekend over, babe, I’ll cut both you and them. I know how!! 🤨

Even if Charles and Harry reconcile, just wait till William becomes King. William can't stand Harry and will never forgive him. Harry will join Andrew in being forever out.

[quote]Why would William be opposed to reconciliation?

Because Harry and Markel are not to be trusted. And Markle is absolutely reprehensible. If they resolve some of their differences, then perhaps they can be civil with each other personally, but Harry and Markle can never be trusted to when it comes to the preservation of the monarchy. They are out of the monarchy, and must learn to live with their decision of arrogance, deceit and trying to financially serve themselves on the back of the monarchy. They are despicable. They cannot serve the monarchy when they are not honest and decent people--and they are not. William will never allow Harry and especially Markle to be part of an organization for which they are showed utter disdain.

Charles might not have to worry about "mending fences."

Harry is going for a walk through a minefield.

Apparently, this is the only way that Charles will communicate with Harry - through aides.

All because of Harry's BBC blunder, earlier this year.

[italic]Prince Harry‘s statements in a BBC interview are reportedly hampering his attempt to reconcile with his father, King Charles. Speaking to the outlet in May, the Duke of Sussex hinted at a reunion with the king, given the monarch’s cancer diagnosis may not leave him with a lot of time to live.

Palace insiders exclusively told Rob Shuter’s #ShuterScoop that Prince Harry breaking the royal rule has not sat well with his father, and he may potentially lose his only chance to mend the family rift. According to insiders, Prince Harry will now only be able to communicate about peace talks with King Charles through aides.

Prince Harry is reportedly looking for peace with the royal family five years after he and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down from royal duties over alleged fallout. According to Rob Shuter’s exclusive report, palace insiders believe the Duke of Sussex’s BBC interview might be the reason the father-son reconciliation might never happen.

In a May interview with the outlet, the prince shared his thoughts on losing a legal challenge over his security in the U.K. Prince Harry expressed his desire to reconcile with the royal family but confessed that King Charles isn’t speaking to him due to a dispute over his security. However, he hoped to mend the rift with his father. Referring to his cancer battle, he said, “I don’t know how much longer my father has.”

Prince Harry’s speculation on King Charles’ health only caused more trouble in the royal family. Sources told Rob Shuter that the Duke of Sussex violated a major royal rule, which is to “never leak, never speak.” Due to his breaking the rule, King Charles has reportedly refused to speak. Palace insiders told the outlet, “No more Oprah. No more Netflix. If Harry wants to talk, it goes through aides. Period.”

Meanwhile, insiders revealed that Prince William has no desire to be part of the reconciliation. They told the news outlet that the Prince of Wales has “moved on.” Referring to the siblings’ alleged rift, they continued, “The frost hasn’t thawed. Not even close.”

As it is now, Prince Harry and King Charles’ reconciliation rumors are on the rise since their respective royal aides met in London.[/italic]

"....two of Prince Harry's top aides..."

WTF? How/why does Harry have any aides, much less top aides??

Oh good, I was losing sleep over this.

Clearly Harry's people were advising Charle's Comms Secretary about the impending divorce and strategizing the feed to the media.

No one cares.

R26, what impending divorce? Charles and Diana’s? Wasn’t he 10 when they divorced? I don’t see any others of any consequence.

And yet here you are, R27.