Harry and Meghan are said to be frustrated after a meeting between their chief of communications and an aide of the King was caught on camera.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have denied any involvement in the leak of information about the meeting between Meredith Maines and the King’s communications secretary Tobyn Andreae in London on Wednesday.
Liam Maguire, a member of Harry and Meghan’s UK PR team, was also present at the gathering, held at the Royal Over-Seas League near Clarence House. This private members’ club, interestingly, promotes international friendship, and the King serves as its patron.
While it remains unclear whether Charles or Harry initiated the ‘peace talks,’ the images showing both parties sharing drinks have led to renewed hopes for a reconciliation.
Both Harry, 40, and his father, 76, are said to be keen to reconcile, especially after the King was diagnosed with cancer last year.
However, Harry and Meghan are said to have been frustrated that pictures of the extraordinary meeting were published in The Mail on Sunday.
Sources close to Prince Harry insisted the Sussexes were not responsible for passing details of the meeting on to the newspaper.
They acknowledged that having the details splashed across newspaper front pages was not an ideal start to what they had hoped would be a new period of peace, The Telegraph reported last night.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last night denied leaking details of the rendezvous between Meredith Maines (pictured) and the King’s communications secretary Tobyn Andreae
A secret meeting took place between Director of Communications for the Royal Household, Tobyn Andreae, and Meridith Maines, head of comms for The Sussexes
Harry and Meghan are said to have been frustrated that pictures of the extraordinary meeting were published in The Mail on Sunday
A source said the summit was only the ‘first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction’
The King is said to have backed the historic summit with a source close to His Majesty hailing it as a ‘significant moment’ that could repair the relationship with his son.
A source told The Mirror: ‘The King has consistently shown he loves both his sons and, as he has done in the past, is prepared to meet Harry when their diaries allow.
‘It’s not unusual for aides from different households to meet, especially when there is a new influx of staff starting, but this is a significant moment.
‘If there is a period of calm and reflection on the part of the duke, then there be a way forward for him to begin along the road of repairing his relationship with his father.’
But the source cautioned repairing the relationship with his brother was a ‘different matter entirely and one which he will find much harder to repair’.
Pictures of the meeting show Ms Maines, carrying a black Louis Vuitton bag, arrive by taxi with Mr Maguire at 3:50pm on Wednesday.
Mr Andreae turned up minutes later carrying a gift from Berry Bros & Rudd, the official wine supplier to the Royal Family. The trio were later seen chatting over drinks in the 26C (78F) sunshine on a first-floor garden terrace overlooking Green Park.
After ten minutes they resumed their discussions inside. A source said the summit was only the ‘first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction’.
Tobyn Andrea arrives for the secret meeting – turning up minutes after Ms Maines with a gift from Berry Bros & Rudd
Sources close to Prince Harry insisted the Sussexes were not responsible for passing details of the meeting on to the newspaper
King Charles III walks with his son Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex as they arrive at St George’s Chapel on September 19, 2022, ahead of the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II
The source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘There’s a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years. There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about.’
Royal experts suggested the meeting was ‘more of a courtesy call’ than peace talks. Royal commentator Ingrid Seward said she believed it was simply a chance for Ms Maines, who was appointed earlier this year, to meet her British counterpart, respected royal aide Mr Andreae.
The Palace refused to comment on whether Prince William was aware of the meeting but royal experts said it was unlikely to have gone ahead without his approval.
The 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham is one opportunity for a public reconciliation reportedly being discussed by both sides.
California-based Harry is set to next visit the UK in September for the annual WellChild events.
Buckingham Palace and Mr Andreae declined to comment last night.
The Sussexes’ representatives did not respond.
