Prince Harry Meets King Charles for Tea in London

Prince Harry had tea with his father, King Charles III, at Clarence House in London on Wednesday.

The two have been distanced since Harry and Meghan decided to step back from royal duties and relocate to California in 2020, publicly discussing their grievances with the royal family.

Buckingham Palace confirmed their meeting at the King’s London residence. Harry arrived at the four-story mansion, not far from Buckingham Palace, and left shortly after, heading to an event for the Invictus Games, which supports service members and veterans.

There was some anticipation that Harry would see his father during his four-day visit, coinciding with the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. A previous meeting in July hinted that the chilly relations might be warming somewhat.

Over the past few years, Harry and Meghan have aired their frustrations through various high-profile interviews and their Netflix series. Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” also contributed to the tension with revelations about private family discussions.

The last time he saw his father was back in February 2024, when he rushed to London after learning of Charles’s cancer diagnosis. He spent about 45 minutes with his father at Sandringham, helping him recover from treatment.

Harry also has limited contact with his brother, Prince William. His previous visit to London in April was complicated by legal issues regarding police protection, which was revoked after he ceased being a working royal. Charles’s trip to Italy at that time made a meeting impossible.

Some elements of the case presented hurdles to improving family relations, particularly as it involved Harry’s public criticisms of the King’s administration. Yet after those matters were resolved, it appeared that a shift might be possible.

Following the recent court resolution, Harry expressed a desire for reconciliation, emphasizing the value of family. He stated, “There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious. I don’t know how long my dad has.”

Despite these olive branches, Harry maintained a somewhat combative stance. He brought up ongoing frustrations regarding decisions made that impacted his family’s safety, which he felt were made to control him and Meghan.

Interestingly, in July, Harry’s new communications team was seen engaging with the King’s press representative, indicating a possible softening in relations. This meeting, dubbed a “Secret Harry Peace Summit” by the media, suggested a willingness to communicate.

After his meeting with Charles, Harry moved on to his next commitment at the Invictus Games event. When asked about the King’s health, he responded positively, saying, “Yes, he’s great, thank you.”