Prince Harry and King Charles' meeting could be a 'test' as they mend relationship
Prince Harry and King Charles' meeting could be a 'test' as they mend relationship
Hannah FurnellSat, July 25, 2026 at 9:00 AM UTC
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A former royal butler says Prince Harry and King Charles' recent meeting was a 'test' (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Prince Harry and King Charles' recent meeting could be a "test," as they continue to navigate their apparent reconciliation, a royal expert claims.
On July 10, the 77-year-old monarch had a top-secret reunion with Harry, 41, his wife, Meghan Markle, 44, and their children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, whom he had not seen in four years. The private meeting, which also included Queen Camilla, took place at Highgrove House, Charles' country residence, according to Buckingham Palace.
Despite the King's best efforts to keep the meeting as secret as possible, royal commentators have continued to speculate on its details. However, the big question is: where does it leave the father and son? Former royal butler Grant Harrold has weighed in on where Harry and Charles' relationship stands now and where it could go from here. Harrold thinks the meeting was a test.
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Speaking to OLBG, Harrold, who worked for Charles between 2004 and 2011 and also served Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Harry, said, "Whatever Prince Harry and the King discussed during the visit has remained a closely guarded secret.
"I see this as a test for Harry, and a chance for the relationship to develop positively. The fact that they met is a step in the right direction, and perhaps over time the relationship will heal."
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The former royal butler added, "I do think this is the start of the repair, which is why Queen Camilla and Meghan were present. The significance of this meeting is massive, and I believe it is a lot more important than people realize."
Harrold concluded, "I hope we start to see them together more. There may be some opportunities to continue the private discussions, then eventually we may start to see them interact publicly.
"I do think this will take time, and it is down to Harry and the King as to how long they need to heal the relationship."
Charles took every measure to keep the meeting with his youngest son and his family a secret. Reports claim that the Prince and Princess of Wales were not told the reunion would even occur.
Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair royal correspondent, reported that according to sources, "not even the Prince and Princess of Wales were made aware that the meeting was taking place."
The reporter further claimed that Charles, "who has sworn his youngest son and daughter-in-law to secrecy," demanded that nothing about their meeting be leaked.
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King Charles tried to keep his meeting with Prince Harry a secret (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
Only palace aides were given the okay to confirm the reunion took place after the Sussexes left Highgrove House without being spotted.
"I don't see this as Prince William losing influence," Kinsey Schofield, host of Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered, told Fox News Digital of Charles leaving William and Kate in the dark about the meeting.
The author added, "I see it as King Charles recognizing that Prince Harry is his relationship to manage."
"Prince William's priority is protecting the future of the monarchy," added Schofield. "Charles can afford to make emotional decisions that William, as the next king, probably cannot."
A source close to Charles told Nicholl that the hour-long meeting was "completely cloak-and-dagger, orchestrated by the king."
"The king wanted to see Harry and the children," said the source. "A time was agreed for the Sussexes to come to Highgrove... and it was uncharacteristically last-minute for the king. Everyone was sworn to secrecy so that the meeting could remain private."
The insider added that Camilla, who was staying at her Ray Mill House estate, drove to Highgrove for the meeting in "quite a hurry."
King Charles wanted Queen Camilla to attend the meeting with Prince Harry for moral support (Image: Getty Images)
"Charles wanted Camilla to be there for moral support because she had been a pillar of strength for him throughout all the drama with Harry, and she dropped everything," the source told Nicholl.
"She told no one, not even her family. She just got in the car and headed over. They were all on a mission to keep the meeting as watertight as possible."
Camilla's attendance was something that was reportedly a "non-negotiable" condition for Charles.
Royal author Catherine Mayer told People Magazine that "she is a non-negotiable part of Charles' life. There is no reconciliation with him without her."
As the King met with his youngest son and his family, the Princess of Wales was supporting her husband as he participated in the DMI Royal Charity Polo Cup 2026 at Guards Polo Club in Windsor.
The estranged brothers did not see one another during Harry's visit to the U.K.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
