Duchess Kate is trying to persuade her husband Prince William to meet her estranged brother Prince Harry, his wife Meghan Markle, and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet while the family is in England later this month.
“Prince William has no plans to attend at this time, but that could change,” a source told Us Weekly on Wednesday.
“The Duchess of Cambridge is trying to convince Prince William to meet Harry, Meghan and the children,” the source continued, adding that the 44-year-old Princess of Wales is also “interested in meeting the children.”
News of the upcoming visit was “a shock” as he had not had the “opportunity to meet Archie and Lilibet” before.
“They are trying to make this a success because the opportunities are very limited,” the official claimed.
Middleton is also reported to be hoping William, 44, will “show up” but will “respect his decision” in any case.
The source also claimed that the future king would only meet his brother “when he is ready.”
“This is not in William’s timeline, this is in Harry’s timeline,” they argued. “He was hesitant because they also didn’t expect Harry to come to the UK with Meghan and the children. If he’s not ready yet, the reunion won’t happen.”
But King Charles is looking forward to meeting Prince Harry, 41, and Prince Markle, 44, with insiders saying he is “realistic” about rebuilding his broken relationship with his son.
“(Queen) Camilla has been very supportive of efforts to improve relations,” the source said.
“I’m definitely excited and Charles is optimistic about this as well. He hopes this is the first step towards mending Harry and William’s relationship.”
Prince Harry and Markle plan to bring their children to the UK for the first time since 2022.
Prince William and Prince Harry last met at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral that year.
Prince Harry and Markle, who married in 2018, stepped away from royal duties in 2020 and moved to Montecito, California, sparking a rift in the family.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that King Charles, 77, held a “rare family dinner” at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland on Tuesday.
In attendance were Queen Camilla (78), Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward.
Senior members of the royal family are currently in Scotland for the annual Royal Week celebrations.
The media outlet shared that the family was “eating and sleeping” in the palace, eating and staying overnight.
The Thistle Ceremony is then held on Wednesday.
Prince Harry and Markle are scheduled to visit the UK next year to promote the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Reports have surfaced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to bring Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, with them.
Prince Harry is reportedly “considering all options to get his wife and children safely across the pond and to keep them safe while on the ground.”
Sources told Page Six that the Duke of Sussex is preparing for a “huge spectacle” on the trip, bringing his own security team with him.
