If the now years-long feud between Prince Harry and the royal family is ever going to come to an end, there’s going to have to be some major communication happening, so why does it sound like Prince William is being left out of it all? After Harry and King Charles‘ aides were seen meeting up in London just days ago, it’s not clear if Will was in on it – or if he was even aware this meeting was taking place at all.
Earlier this week, multiple news outlets including People reported that Harry’s chief of staff, Meredith Maines, was photographed meeting with Charles’ communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae, on July 9, along with Liam Maguire, who oversees Harry and Meghan’s press in the United Kingdom, at the Royal Over-Seas League.
At the time, a source told The Mail on Sunday that this was the “first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction,” but now, it sounds like one member of the family may have been out of the loop.
Although Harry and Charles were both represented at the meeting, William wasn’t, and a friend of his and Kate Middleton‘s told the Daily Mail that was “no coincidence.”
“They were not asked to send anyone and will be treating the talks with extreme caution,” the friend said. “The fact that it ended up in the newspapers tells you all you need to know.”
However, one royal commentator, Richard Fitzwilliams, told the Daily Mail that he can’t imagine William wouldn’t have at least been informed that the meeting would be taking place.
“The King would never have made these moves without William’s support and understanding,” Richard said. “William and Catherine are the future of the monarchy.”
That being said, William showing his support for reconciliation doesn’t mean that he’s happy about it – or that he has any plans to set up a meeting with Harry (or anyone from his team) himself.
“He has undoubtedly been furious at the way the Sussexes have behaved and undoubtedly regards Harry’s behavior as treason of a sort,” Richard continued. “They reportedly have not spoken in over two years. Ideally, the Sussexes might like to drive a wedge between the King and the heir to the throne. They won’t succeed.”
As for Harry and Meghan? According to what a source told The Telegraph, it sounds like they were hoping to keep this meeting on the down low, which obviously isn’t what ended up happening, and now, they’re feeling “frustrated” about it. The insider said “having the details of the meeting on newspaper front pages was hardly an ideal way to start what they had hoped would be a new period of peace.”
So far, Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on the meeting.
