Queen Camilla played a pivotal role in the recent reunion between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles, according to royal author Catherine Mayer.
Mayer told People magazine that Camilla is a "non-negotiable part of Charles’ life," suggesting that any reconciliation between the King and his younger son was contingent on her involvement.
Prince Harry, his wife Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, met with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House on July 10. Charles, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, had not seen his grandchildren in four years. The specifics of the meeting have not been made public.
A source close to the royal family told People that the meetings should remain private to allow family ties to be rekindled.
This reunion comes after Harry, in a 2023 interview promoting his memoir "Spare," described Camilla as a "villain" in his parents' past relationship. He alleged that Camilla leaked stories to the press to improve her own image and stated that "there was open willingness on both sides to trade of information."
In his memoir, Harry also recounted how he and his brother, Prince William, had initially urged their father not to marry Camilla. The brothers expressed concerns that the marriage could cause "more harm than good." However, they ultimately conceded to the wedding, wanting their father to be happy. Charles and Camilla married in 2005.
Harry's wife and children joined him in the UK for the visit. However, according to royal experts, the trip reportedly encountered difficulties, including the Sussexes being denied taxpayer-funded security and Buckingham Palace withdrawing an offer for them to stay at a royal residence. Harry spent much of the trip without his family, apart from the meeting with his father and stepmother. Prince William did not meet with his brother during this visit. Royal expert Kinsey Schofield noted that William "understands" why Charles reunited with Harry but believes Harry "has not earned his way back into the family’s confidence."