Did King Charles and Prince Harry just have a secret peace summit? Recent sightings of representatives for King Charles and Prince Harry in London have ignited speculation about a potential reconciliation between the monarch and his younger son. While no official statements have been made, the U.K. media has dubbed the private meeting at a London club a “peace summit” or “secret talks.”
The intense public interest in any hint of a thaw between father and son also highlighted the absence of Prince William, Charles’s elder son and heir, from these discussions. Royal author and historian Carolyn Harris notes that the public feels a deep connection to the family, having watched William and Harry navigate the grief of their mother’s death and grow up. “There’s a strong public interest in King Charles III, Prince William and Prince Harry in terms of this being a family saga,” Harris said. This public fascination intensified following Prince Harry’s memoir, with many now wondering about a possible path back for him and a reconciliation, particularly with his father.
However, a reconciliation with William might be a tougher hurdle. Harris suggests, “William also fiercely protects the privacy of his family, and there were private moments that were shared in Prince Harry’s memoirs, so it’s possible the two brothers will never be able to reconcile.”
Prince Harry, now living in California with his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, is scheduled to return to the U.K. in September for charity work. It remains to be seen if he will meet with his father then. While Harry had a brief visit with Charles following his cancer diagnosis earlier in 2024, they did not meet during Harry’s subsequent London trip.
Harry recently experienced a setback in his legal bid to secure security coverage in the U.K. following his step back from royal duties. Following that ruling in May, he expressed his hope for family reconciliation to the BBC. Royal correspondent Chris Ship of ITV noted that Harry’s September visit coincides with a busy period for King Charles. “But most people might agree that the breakdown in the relationship between father and son is very sad, and if they could attempt to patch things up, given the King’s ongoing cancer treatment, it would be best for both sides,” Ship commented.
Communicating through official channels is a long-standing practice for the Royal Family, as Harris points out. This method has its pros and cons: “Everything’s on record, and there can be a common narrative about what’s been discussed and what’s taken place,” she explained. “But we know from Prince Harry’s own writing that he has been quite suspicious of some of the officials surrounding members of the Royal Family.”
Historically, royal conflicts often involved the monarch and the heir. However, this situation is different, with a younger son in conflict with a reigning father. Harris suggests that the current rift has ironically brought the King and his heir, Prince William, closer. The modern conflict blends official grievances, such as security concerns and media relations, with personal ones regarding Harry’s perceived treatment over time.
“Attempts at reconciliation…would make sense, Harris suggested, as festering royal conflicts can cast a long shadow, citing the 1936 abdication crisis of King Edward VIII as a prime example. “Efforts at reconciliation between Prince Harry and his father at this time may be an effort to avoid the reign of the eventual King William V being overshadowed by a long-standing estrangement with Prince Harry.”
A Canadian on Camilla’s Reading List
Queen Camilla’s 78th birthday social media post featured a surprise for Canadian mystery writer Louise Penny: a photo of Camilla holding Penny’s book, *The Grey Wolf*. “I was floored when a friend in the U.K. forwarded me the photo,” Penny shared. “I knew she’d read the book, since she sent me a lovely note, but to see it in the birthday post was astonishing.”
Camilla’s passion for reading and literacy promotion, notably highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to initiatives like The Queen’s Reading Room, a literary charity. “It’s not simply people taking the opportunity to read these books themselves but to come together in book clubs to discuss these books so there’s a community-building effort here as well as promoting authors and reading,” Harris observed.
The inclusion of a Canadian author in the royal post is significant, particularly in the context of subtle signals of support for Canada from the Royal Family amid political rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump. “In itself that Queen Camilla is reading Louise Penny, that’s not necessarily a strong signal on its own,” Harris said. “But when it’s added to all of these other moments like King Charles III planting a maple tree or Michael Bublé being included in the list of Commonwealth songs that King Charles III publicized on Commonwealth Day, there’s this emphasis on engaging with Canadian culture.” This cultural outreach was evident during Charles and Camilla’s recent visit to Ottawa.
Penny herself met King Charles at Canada House in London shortly before their visit. “It was a very fun experience all around,” she posted on Facebook.
The ‘Honour and Privilege’ of a Royal Visit
Lt. Col. Chris Michaud was impressed by Prince Edward’s engagement with the Prince Edward Island Regiment during his recent visit to mark its 150th anniversary. “One of the biggest takeaways is how he engages with people. It’s fascinating,” Michaud said. “He must have met 300 people that evening, and he took a moment to speak with each one… it was really interesting to see how somebody of such a stature would take the time to engage with each person they get an opportunity to meet,” he added. “As a leader, that’s something you take away.”
Despite initial nerves, Michaud found the interaction with Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, became more comfortable throughout the visit, which included engagements with cadets, a visit to Abegweit First Nation, a regimental ball, a breakfast, and a freedom of the city parade in Charlottetown. Edward even playfully teased Michaud about forgetting he was scheduled to give remarks. “It was just a sign of his sense of humour, too,” Michaud recalled.
The visit was a “huge honour and privilege,” Michaud stated. “To have a member of the Royal Family who is engaged and interested and is aware of their connections to Canada’s military and Canada’s military history as well—it’s just a huge opportunity.”
Prince Edward presented members of the regiment with custom wool blankets from MacAusland’s Woollen Mills in Bloomfield, P.E.I. The blankets, featuring the regimental colours of black and gold, were a project of the Canadian Wool Council and the Campaign for Wool in Canada, which is patronized by King Charles. “Wool has always had a deep connection with the military,” said Matthew Rowe, CEO of both organizations.
Rowe explained the collaborative effort: “Prince Edward Island is home to one of the last blanket mills in Canada that makes product in 100 percent Canadian wool, and wouldn’t it be wonderful to create something special for this anniversary.” He added, “We wanted something that was meaningful, but that was also tangible… it’s also practical, it’s something that can speak to that moment and speak to that affiliation but that will be a treasured and functional heirloom going forward for the men and women of the regiment.”
The blankets were woven to ensure one for every regiment member, plus extras, with Prince Edward receiving one as well. Rowe highlighted it as “a great way of celebrating a great Canadian manufacturer, a great Canadian product and showing how Canadian wool can keep us safe and warm in many different levels of interpretation.”
Prince Edward capped off a weeklong visit to Canada with a stop in Ottawa, where he gave a speech to Canada Day revellers at LeBreton Flats Park. ‘Today is truly a celebration of you, your home and your land, strong and free,’ he said to cheers from the crowd.
Royally Quotable
“It’s the best therapy in the world.”
— Queen Camilla, referring to gardening, during a visit to an annual flower show.
Royal Reads
King Charles believes the world needs to better respect and understand the Muslim faith amidst global tensions. A summit at his Highgrove estate celebrated his philosophy of nature and harmony, bringing together Indigenous peoples, environmentalists, and experts. While his passion for gardening is well-known, his exacting standards at Highgrove have reportedly ruffled some staff feathers. Charles has also invited U.S. President Donald Trump for a second state visit in September. Meanwhile, an exhibition at Buckingham Palace will showcase the changing fashions of the late Queen Elizabeth II. A new photograph of Prince George was released to mark his 12th birthday. Prince Harry visited Angola to support a landmine charity his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, championed. Swan populations on the River Thames are showing signs of recovery after a period of decline.
Prince Harry retraced his late mother’s footsteps on Wednesday as he walked through an active landmine field in Angola to raise awareness for a charity working to clear explosives from old war zones. Princess Diana’s advocacy and the images of her landmine walk in 1997 helped to mobilize support for a landmine ban treaty that was ratified later that year.
