Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been left reportedly "frustrated" after a private meeting between their top communications aide and one of King Charles III's senior advisors was caught on camera and published in the media.
The meeting, described by insiders as a potential first step towards reconciliation between father and son, took place at the Royal Over-Seas League –a private members’ club near Clarence House. On the Sussexes' behalf, their chief communications officer, Meredith Maines and UK PR head Liam Maguire met with the King’s director of communications, Tobyn Andreae.
While the summit was intended to be kept under wraps, photographs of the encounter, including the trio chatting over drinks on a sunny terrace — were splashed across The Mail on Sunday, sparking public interest and internal tension.
According to MailOnline, sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex denied that they leaked the meeting to the press. According to The Telegraph, they acknowledged that the exposure was “not an ideal start to what they had hoped would be a new period of peace.”
The images showed Maines arriving in a taxi, carrying a black Louis Vuitton bag, with Maguire. Andreae arrived shortly after, bearing a gift from Berry Bros & Rudd, the royal family's official wine supplier.
The group was seen engaging in light conversation outdoors before resuming talks privately indoors. While the contents of their discussion remain undisclosed, insiders described the gathering as informal, with “no formal agenda – just casual drinks.
Still, royal observers believe it was a significant development.
"There’s a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years," a source told the newspaper.
Both King Charles III, 76, and Prince Harry, 40, are said to be eager to mend their strained relationship, especially following the King’s cancer diagnosis last year. However, sources indicated that tensions between Harry and his brother, Prince William, remain unresolved and may be harder to repair.
While Buckingham Palace and Mr. Andreae declined to comment, it’s believed that such a meeting would not have happened without Prince William's awareness. Royal expert Ingrid Seward suggested the encounter may have been more of a "courtesy call" than formal peace talks.
The 2027 Invictus Games, scheduled to be held in Birmingham, have been floated as a possible opportunity for a public reunion between Harry and the royal family. Harry is also expected to visit the UK again in September for the annual WellChild awards.