That case was itself an impediment to improved relations because it involved Harry criticising the King’s government in the courts. But once it was over, change became possible.
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Immediately after the case ended, Harry said he would “love reconciliation with my family”.
“There’s no point in continuing to fight any more”, he told the BBC on the day the court case was resolved. “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has.”
Despite that olive branch, Harry struck a combative tone that might torpedo hopes of repairing the family breach.
The prince repeatedly said that the decision to withdraw his security was made at the direction of the royal household in an effort to control him and his wife while putting their safety at risk.
“What I’m struggling to forgive, and what I will probably always struggle to forgive, is the decision that was made in 2020 that affects me every single day and that is knowingly putting me and my family in harm’s way,” Harry said.
Change of tone
But with the lawsuit out of the way, the mood music coming from Charles and Harry’s supporters seemed to change.
In July, the new team handling Harry and Meghan’s communications, headed by Los Angeles-based Meredith Maines, was seen on the balcony of a private members’ club in London speaking with Tobyn Andreae, the King’s press representative. The Mail on Sunday was on hand to snap a photo of what the paper called: “The secret Harry peace summit.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the Royal Highland Gathering in Scotland last weekend.Credit: Getty Images
Regardless of who tipped off the paper, it showed a change of tone since the meeting wouldn’t have happened if the so-called principals hadn’t given their tacit consent.
Appearing at the WellChild Awards in London on Monday, Harry seemed to click with the audience at the event for the charity that celebrates the courage of seriously ill children and their carers.
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The prince is a long-time supporter of WellChild, and his presence was a reminder that not so long ago, he was one of the star attractions of the royal family’s effort to reach out to younger, more diverse Britons.
Chatting ahead of the main ceremony with 17-year-old Declan Bitmead, winner of an inspirational young person award, Harry learned the teen had a younger brother.
“Does he drive you mad?” Harry asked, and Declan replied, “No, we get on fine.”
But when Harry, who followed William to Eton, learned that Declan and his brother went to the same school, he said, “That sometimes makes it more challenging.”
Despite his charm, it may be hard for Harry to undo the damage caused by the allegations of insensitivity, conflict and racism that he and his wife have levelled against the royal family in recent years.
Memoir overshadows reconciliation
Harry’s explosive memoir, Spare, shattered the veneer of unity the royals present to the public, depicting them as scheming rivals who use a cozy relationship with the media to jockey for public favour.
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It also revealed the details of private conversations, including one between the King and his sons, which was held in a graveyard in hopes of hiding it from the press.
“Please, boys”, Harry quotes Charles as saying. “Don’t make my final years a misery.”
But Charles may have an incentive to let bygones be bygones.
Now approaching his 77th birthday and continuing to undergo cancer treatment, the King may want to get more time with his grandchildren, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, who was born after her parents moved to the wealthy Southern California enclave of Montecito.
Harry put the responsibility for any rapprochement on his family, stating in his recent BBC interview that he believes reconciliation is impossible without truth, and his lawsuit over police protection exposed the truth about his battle with the palace.
“It would be nice to have that reconciliation part now,” he said. “If they don’t want that, that’s entirely up to them.”
AP
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