With Harry reportedly making a major move to schedule in a potential reunion with the Firm, royal expert Jennie Bond has shared her thoughts on what a royal reconciliation may look like
Prince Harry’s reported olive branch to the Royal Family shows he is still a part of the Firm – despite him and Meghan Markle quitting their royal roles, an expert has claimed.
It comes as the Duke of Sussex is said to have offered to share his working diary with the Firm in order to avoid any potential clashes of high-profile appearances with the likes of his father, King Charles.
The major move from Harry comes after reports of peace talks between the Sussex camp and royal aides although some royal commentators believe that two major members of the Firm are unlikely to forgive his years of indiscretions .
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Sources told the Mail on Sunday that Harry is offering his diary to the royal family to prevent another clash of events, such as when the Duke of Sussex ’s trip to Angola to follow in his mother’s footsteps overshadowed Queen Camilla’s 78th birthday.
The publication said the deal is even believed to extend to Prince William ’s court at Kensington Palace, with sources saying it is hoped the move to “deconflict” their diaries could lead to Harry and King Charles to meet face-to-face.
As the potential peace talks seemingly draw closer, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said that by Harry openly sharing his diary, it shows he is serious about mending the years-long rift with his family.
Jennie told the Mirror : “If it’s true that Harry has agreed to share his diary, then it clearly is a concession that he acknowledges he is still part of the royal family and that — even to a very limited extent— they work best as a team.”
While many believe the sharing of diaries could be to schedule in a potential reunion, Jennie clarified that the act is largely to share the spotlight, making sure that important causes to both the Firm and the Sussexes get their uninterrupted time to shine.
Jennie said: “As much as the royal family might protest that they don’t like publicity, there’s very little point in doing all the good work they do unless they can shine a spotlight on the causes they are trying to help. And that means publicity. Therefore, if one royal knocks the other off the headlines because of a diary clash, it is the charities or causes they are trying to highlight which suffer. Co-ordinating diaries makes logical sense.”
The royal expert also speculated that “perhaps this reported move is a result of the recent meeting between the King’s and the Sussex’s teams. It would certainly make sense.”
While many royal fans and commentators alike are hoping for a reconciliation between Prince Harry and his family, it is unlikely that a reunion will wash away the years of public barbs that have put such a strain on the Firm. As Jennie told the Mirror, it is likely that, if King Charles is open to meeting with his younger son, it will take time to mend the bridges.
Bond said: “We know that Harry wants a reconciliation with his UK family. He has said so publicly. But it’s not something that can be done with a click of the fingers. There has been so much hurt and so much damage; that crucial element of trust has been lost after all Harry’s accusations and revelations. The road to reconciliation is not going to be an easy one.
“However, the meeting between officials from the two sides does suggest that there may now be a willingness to find a solution. Harry’s visit in September obviously offers an opportunity for a meeting with his father (there’s virtually no chance of William wanting to see him). We shall just have to wait to see whether both sides are willing to make up after such a bitter row, and whether the King, always a very busy man, is available.”