A royal insider has commented with scepticism on Prince Harry’s possible reunion with King Charles. The comment comes amid speculations that Harry and his family might visit his father this summer. It comes as a source close to Harry was quoted in the Sunday Times, saying: “If the King was to say, ‘Come up and spend some time with the family’, he’d love that.” According to associates, Harry would welcome an invitation to join the King at Sandringham this summer, potentially bringing Meghan and their two children with him during his planned visit to the UK in July for Invictus Games-related engagements.

This reflects the Duke of Sussex’s hope for reconciliation with his father. However, sources close to the King remain cautious, pointing out a long-standing pattern of media briefings and public disclosures linked to Harry’s camp as a major obstacle to rebuilding trust.

One royal source suggested that if Harry genuinely wants to repair relations, efforts should be made to keep discussions private rather than playing out in public.

A friend of the King told the Daily Mail that “low trust and bitter experience” are still the main barriers to any substantial improvement.

The source said: “If Harry truly wishes to see his father, he would do well to encourage his supporters to allow such matters to be discussed privately, since low trust and bitter experience in this regard remains one of the principal barriers to progress.”

They last saw each other on September 10 last year, for a 50-minute meeting over tea at Clarence House while the prince was in the UK for engagements connected with his patronages. It was their first meeting in 19 months.

Tensions between the two camps escalated by a series of the prince’s public criticisms of the royal family, including high-profile interviews and Harry’s memoir Spare.

Another key issue complicating any potential reunion is security. Harry is still awaiting a decision from the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) regarding the level of police protection he and his family would receive while in the UK – an issue that remains key to his willingness to travel with his family.