King Charles met his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for the first time in four years earlier this summer. The reunion, confirmed by Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes, has remained largely out of the public eye, with no photos shared in the media. An expert has now revealed that the decision to keep the meeting behind closed doors was the King's choice, not Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's.
Private Meeting at Highgrove
The private meeting, which also included Queen Camilla, took place at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire on July 10. It marked the first time the King had seen his grandchildren since Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. However, he was adamant that the meeting would take place behind closed doors, with no pictures or details shared with the public.
As reported by Woman and Home, royal editor and expert Emily Andrews said: "There has been no briefing from either Team Sussex or Buckingham Palace on what took place at Highgrove over tea - and certainly no photographs. That will have been the King's express request - that it should happen completely privately, and stay that way."
Fragile Trust
The expert believes that if any details or pictures of the meeting were leaked, then the already "fragile trust" between Charles and Harry would be "rocked again". The Sussexes are reported to have respected the request, and Meghan chose not to share any pictures on her Instagram page.
It comes after it is understood that the Duchess of Sussex asked to bring a "trusted photographer" to the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. However, she was denied, and no pictures of the family gathering were shared publicly afterwards.
Prince William's Reaction
Meanwhile, Prince William was reportedly left unhappy at the recent meeting. The relationship between the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex remains strained, with few signs of improvement, with sources suggesting the brothers last spoke at the late Queen's funeral in 2022.
Emily added: "I understand that William believes the couple should not have been rewarded with a family meeting, however private, with the King. His father has gone ahead, while William is the one carrying an ever-growing share of the actual work and popularity of the monarchy."
It is also believed that Harry will now invite his father to next year's Invictus Games in Birmingham. He hopes the invitation will further heal the bond between them.
