Last week, London witnessed the long-awaited reunion between King Charles III and Prince Harry, as father and son met alone after a year and nine months apart.
What initially appeared to be a simple family gathering evolved into something more profound, as the meeting resulted in agreements that could mark a new chapter in the relationship between father and son. And, although Harry has already returned to California, the leaks have not been long in coming.
According to British media, the talk at Clarence House was a kind of “peace summit.” It was decided that Harry would be allowed to travel to the United Kingdom more frequently, but under clear conditions: he would never officially represent the monarchy, as Elizabeth II had decided at the famous Sandringham meeting.
In other words, he can attend specific events, including public ones, but always as an independent figure, not as an active royal.
The agreement sounds balanced. Charles would be open to his son returning “four or five times a year” for commitments related to his own projects, without encroaching on William’s institutional domain.
Someone quipped in the press that it all seemed “more like tea and cake than the Treaty of Versailles,” but the truth is that the gesture carries weight. Rather, it is about building bridges without altering the official structure of the Crown.
Of course, the issue of security remains unresolved. Harry has been complaining for some time that he doesn’t have the same protection as other family members, which even led to a legal battle he lost in May.
In a previous interview, he mentioned that his father avoided discussing this matter with him. Perhaps that issue has begun to be resolved in this meeting.
Harry made it clear a long time ago: “Life is precious, there’s no point in fighting.” Perhaps now, at last, both have decided to take steps toward reconciliation.