Prince William shuts door on Harry reunion as King Charles prepares private meeting with son

Fresh reports suggest the rift between Prince William and Prince Harry remains as deep as ever, with no sign of reconciliation on the horizon.

According to The Mirror, the main obstacle is trust. “The issue with Harry, as well as Meghan, is one of trust. Ever since moving to North America, they have eroded all confidence in their ability to keep things or their criticisms private,” a source told the paper. “For there to be any chance of moving forward, that trust has to be rebuilt, and Team Sussex knows the onus is on them.”

William, insiders say, believes Harry has repeatedly chosen publicity over private resolution. “William feels Harry has repeatedly chosen public exposure over private resolution and that the Royal Family can’t keep being dragged into the headlines every time there’s a new contract to promote,” the source explained.

While the Prince of Wales is said to be unwilling to engage, King Charles is reportedly taking a softer approach. He is preparing for a private meeting with Harry during his upcoming visit to London, which will mark the first time father and son have been face to face in 20 months.

Harry is due in the capital on September 8 for the WellChild Awards, an event he has supported for years. The date also coincides with the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.

The meeting is being described as an “ice-breaking” moment, following what sources have called an informal peace summit between Buckingham Palace aides and Harry’s team.

“It’s clear there is now a determination on both sides to make this happen. Nobody is pretending the wider family issues have been resolved, but this is about beginning with Charles and Harry,” an insider told the paper.

Charles, who continues treatment for cancer, is said to feel now is the right time to reconnect. “After 20 months apart, and with the King continuing his treatment, the feeling is that the time is right to take that step,” the source added.

The plan, according to those close to the talks, is for the meeting to remain private and dignified, avoiding any spectacle or grand gestures. “This is not about grand gestures or set-piece meetings – it’s about a simple face-to-face conversation between a father and his son. The priority is privacy and dignity,” the insider said.

Notably, Meghan Markle is not expected to join Harry on the trip, with sources suggesting she will remain in California with their two children.

The stark difference between William’s hard line and Charles’s willingness to talk underscores the divide within the family. While the King appears keen to start patching things up with his youngest son, William seems to feel there can be no moving forward until Harry proves he can keep matters private.

For now, Harry’s London visit may mark the first tentative step toward healing at least part of the family rift – but any reunion between the brothers still looks far from likely.