The possibility of Meghan attending the reunion of Prince Harry and Charles III in the UK could raise the bar for royal reconciliation.
“Meghan’s presence will definitely add symbolic weight to any reunion,” royal commentator Amanda Matta exclusively told Page Six.
“Meghan accompanying Prince Harry on his visit to the UK and meeting his family will demonstrate to the public that the Sussexes are committed to rebuilding relationships.”
The co-host of the Off With There Headlines podcast pointed out that the Duchess of Sussex’s presence at the long-awaited meeting does not necessarily make reconciliation “easier or harder.”
“The stakes just change,” Matta said. “The challenge of reconciliation was never about any one person, but about rebuilding trust as a whole.”
The source admitted he had not heard anything about Markle’s plans to join her husband during her talks with the monarch, but said her relationship with the current monarch “has always been somewhat different to Prince Harry.”
“Historically, there have been signs that Prince Charles has made efforts to welcome her into the family, but in recent years he has taken a step back,” Matta said. “I see this as an acknowledgment that the ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the royal family actually stem from Prince Harry and his family.”
She continued: “The issues he raised, such as the intrusion of the media and the emotionally stifling palace environment, existed and were eating at Harry even before he met Meghan.”
Matta believes the “enthusiasm” surrounding Markle’s relationship with Prince Harry, the royal family and Britain in general has subsided “a lot” since her last appearance with Prince William and Duchess Kate in 2022.
“The public generally understands that this relationship is incredibly complex, but they also know more than ever about how the monarchy works,” Matta said. “In my opinion, the biggest risk arises from how the Palace manages this ‘return’. ”
“If the public sees mixed signals suggesting reconciliation alongside reports of continuing or renewed tensions, it will reinforce the impression that the royal family is still dealing with unresolved issues behind the scenes, or, in other words, that they are unable to get their act together,” she said.
Although Ms Markle’s attendance at the gathering has not yet been confirmed, Page Six has confirmed that the couple will be visiting the UK with their two children next month, marking the first time Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have visited across the pond since 2022. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are reportedly planning to meet Prince Charles during their trip.
Our source also said that Prince Harry is “desperate” to reunite his children with their grandfather.
According to a report in the US Sun, Prince Charles is suspected of extending an olive branch to the Sussexes by inviting them to the royal residence during their stay. Charles also reportedly offered to take care of their safety arrangements.
Prince Harry briefly united with Prince Charles several times after the monarch’s cancer diagnosis, but Ms Markle has not returned to the UK since attending the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
Markle, 44, and Prince Harry, 41, have been estranged from the royal family since stepping down from royal duties in 2020 and moving to California. Prince Harry added fuel to the fire by publishing his revealing memoir “Spare” in 2023. The two also gave several interviews involving members of the royal family.
Charles, 77, and Harry continue to bury the hatchet, but William, 44, remains estranged from his brother.
