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King Charles and Prince Harry Share Private Tea Amid Strained Family Relations
Prince Harry and King Charles III met for tea at Clarence House on Wednesday, marking their first encounter in over a year and a half. The Duke of Sussex’s return to the U.K. began on September 8th for charitable engagements and to honor the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing with a visit to her Windsor gravesite.
This reunion follows reports of a strained relationship between father and son. Sources previously indicated that King Charles, who received a cancer diagnosis in 2024, had not been responding to Harry’s attempts at communication. The relationship between Harry and his brother, Prince William, also remains reportedly tense.
Earlier this year, Harry expressed his desire for reconciliation with his family during a BBC interview, stating, “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.” He also expressed concern for his father’s health.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s departure from their roles as senior royals in 2020 and subsequent move to California marked a turning point in their relationship with the royal family. Public interviews and documentaries, including Prince Harry’s 2023 memoir “Spare,” further exacerbated tensions.
While reports this past July suggested Harry had initiated contact to share his schedule with the King as a peace offering, Prince William’s representatives were reportedly not involved in these discussions. The brothers were last seen together, albeit distanced, at the funeral of their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, in August 2024.
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner previously commented on the situation, noting reports of Prince William’s continued displeasure with Harry and King Charles’ perceived Christian duty to welcome his family back. Pelham Turner also shared insights from a conversation with a member of a Middle Eastern royal family, suggesting King Charles holds more influence than publicly perceived and will likely determine the future direction of the monarchy.