Prince Harry’s long-awaited reunion with King Charles III may not be as simple as first thought, with palace insiders claiming the Duke of Sussex has issued a “list of demands” that has left courtiers “reeling”.
In less than a week, the 40-year-old Duke of Sussex is due in London for the WellChild Awards, a charity event he has long supported, and is tipped to reunite with his father.
The pair have not seen each other since January last year, a period in which His Majesty has undergone treatment for cancer.
But according to royal and celebrity reporter Rob Shuter, Harry has set three major conditions before sitting down with his 76-year-old father.
This “list of demands” is “so bold it has royal courtiers reeling”, Shuter said in his latest Substack article.
The first demand is for full security for himself, his wife Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four- to be paid for by the King.
This, despite Harry recently losing a lengthy legal battle to have taxpayer-funded police protection reinstated.
Secondly, he wants Buckingham Palace to take control of press management and paparazzi.
“Harry doesn’t want another trip where he feels unprotected and exposed,” one insider told Shuter.
“He wants iron-clad guarantees- not vague promises. Security and privacy are non-negotiable.”
Finally, and perhaps the most contentious of all, is Harry’s demand that Meghan be treated as HRH, complete with “bows and curtsies”, even though she quit royal duties in 2020.
“Harry insists Meghan must be treated as HRH,” an insider claimed.
“That means family members must show her the formal respect of bows and curtsies. Harry’s offering reconciliation- but at a price.
“And that price includes the entire royal family bowing to Meghan.”
The reported demands come as representatives for the Sussexes were recently spotted in London holding “peace talks” with King Charles’ communications team.
Among those present were the King’s communications secretary Tobyn Andrae, Harry’s US-based PR Meredith Maines, and Liam Maguire, who manages UK press for the Sussexes.
A royal source told The Mirror: “For the first time in a long time, there’s a genuine sense that reconciliation is within reach.
“Prince Harry’s team and the Palace have opened a line of communication, and there is every hope that father and son will see one another when the Duke returns to London in September.
“The priority is privacy and dignity, but also ensuring the door stays open for further dialogue.”
However, while the King is said to be open to seeing his youngest son, his heir Prince William remains firmly opposed.
The brothers last saw each other at the funeral of Lord Robert Fellowes in August 2024, but hopes of repairing their rift have been “rejected out of hand” by William, according to the source.
Meanwhile, a friend of the 43-year-old future King told The Daily Beast: “Ultimately, William is a loyal soldier. He respects his father’s rank, and he respects his father’s right to make his own decisions, and he won’t make a fuss if it happens.
“But he thinks a Harry meeting is a terrible, terrible idea.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.skynews.com.au ’
