Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to the UK included a private family reunion at Highgrove, with Queen Camilla playing a pivotal role. Royal biographer Robert Jobson described her attendance as 'very significant', given the strained relations between Harry and his stepmother.
Highgrove Summit
The King and Queen hosted the meeting at Highgrove House on July 10, marking the first time Harry and Meghan's children, Archie and Lilibet, saw their grandfather since the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. No photographs were released from the private gathering.
Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive podcast, Jobson said: 'The one thing that I think is very significant in all of this, given that Harry was not overly critical of the King, but he was very critical of Queen Camilla, was that she was there to support the King because she was also there to witness what was said.'
Strained Relations
Harry has previously referred to Camilla as 'dangerous' and a 'villain', making her presence at the summit noteworthy. Jobson added: 'I'm sure that it would have been better with Camilla there and more difficult for them to almost push the King, who was a very kind man, a gentle man, I think, into a corner.'
The meeting followed a war of words between Harry's team and Buckingham Palace over accommodation and security arrangements. Meghan reportedly felt unable to attend public engagements due to security concerns.
Security Concerns
A source close to the Duke and Duchess told The Times: 'This is not the first time it has not been plain sailing with correspondence or trying to make things work. It all comes back to security. If that was resolved, there would be so much more certainty every time he comes - or they come.'
Meghan's trip was her first to the UK in four years. She had intended to accompany Harry at Invictus Games events but was reportedly disappointed not to have undertaken any public engagements.
Invictus Games Commitment
Despite distractions, Harry remains dedicated to the Invictus Games. David Wiseman, a key figure in the organisation, told People magazine: 'Bearing in mind how much he's got going on in different facets of his life, he's showing how dedicated he is to the Invictus movement.'
Wiseman added: 'He's committed so much of his time and energy to the Invictus Games Foundation, events and everything that's building towards the games in 2027. He's through and through a true leader in the international veteran community.'
