King Charles and Prince Harry have reunited for the first time in more than 18 months, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The father and son, who have been estranged since Harry stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the US with Meghan Markle, last met in February 2024 when the Palace announced the King’s cancer diagnosis.
A Private Meeting at Clarence House
According to reports, the King welcomed Harry for a private tea this afternoon. The Royal Standard was raised above Buckingham Palace earlier in the day, signaling the monarch’s presence in London.
Harry arrived at Clarence House in a black Range Rover shortly before the meeting began, while the King had flown from Aberdeen to RAF Northolt and was seen traveling by car into the residence. The reunion is believed to have lasted just under an hour, with Harry leaving around 6:15 p.m.
Although the Palace has not disclosed what was discussed, the encounter is being viewed as a major step towards reconciliation after years of strained relations.
Signs of Repairing Bonds
The meeting follows months of quiet gestures from both sides. This summer, two of Harry’s aides were seen meeting with the King’s communications secretary near Buckingham Palace. Harry is also said to have offered to share diary dates with the royal household to avoid clashes in engagements — a move interpreted as an olive branch.
While there has been no suggestion of a long-term resolution, today’s gathering indicates a willingness to slowly rebuild trust.
Brothers Still Apart
Despite progress between Harry and his father, tensions with Prince William remain. The brothers are not believed to be in contact and are highly unlikely to see each other during Harry’s short stay in the UK. William spent the day in Cardiff, launching a new mental health centre through his Royal Foundation.
Harry’s Visit to the UK
Harry’s trip began on Monday with his attendance at the WellChild Awards in London. He later extended his visit, fueling speculation that a meeting with the King was on the horizon.
Earlier today, he visited the Centre for Injury Studies at Imperial College London to learn more about its work helping children and victims of natural disasters. During the visit, his office announced that he and Meghan would be donating nearly £370,000 to projects supporting injured children in Gaza and Ukraine. The funds, given through their charitable foundation, will assist World Health Organisation efforts on evacuations and prosthetic development.