Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, made some visible efforts and have even been applauded, or at least noted, by King Charles III. However, they are not enough to convince him to make the significant move they have been pleading for.
It has been a busy year for the Royal Family, marked by dreaded events and some exciting and controversial moments.
What was slightly different in 2025 was the subtle rapprochement between King Charles and Prince Harry.
- The Meeting: The two met for 55 minutes over tea this past fall. The father and son reportedly had a lovely chat, and King Charles was gifted with beautiful photographs of his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Media Silence: Another major change was the fact that while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have often appeared on television, in magazines, and Meghan has recently retaken her spot on social media and on Netflix with a lifestyle series and holiday special, they have been able to avoid talking about the Royal Family — or at least in a negative manner.
The Sussexes appear to have accomplished the goal of getting on King Charles’s good side. However, there is no hope of a reconciliation with Prince William.
King Charles’s Scathing Rejection: The Sussexes’ Best Is Not Enough
Prince Harry has continued to campaign for more face-to-face moments with King Charles and the possibility of spending time with his two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have done everything imaginable to bridge the gap with King Charles, according to one reporter and author.
Professor Pauline Maclaran, co-author of Royal Fever, offered a different assessment, speaking exclusively to Daily Express US: “It seems to me that Harry and Meghan are trying not to cause any more controversies as far as their Royal relatives are concerned. I feel they have been on their best behavior recently.”
However, King Charles is clearly and bluntly making it clear that the power couple’s best is far from enough in the wake of the bombshell revelations and accusations.
The Christmas Snub
To confirm that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still firmly in the “dog house,” the King has declined to invite them for Christmas at Sandringham. Royal commentators suggest the Monarch wants to avoid the “awkward” tension their presence would create among other family members.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward confirmed the King’s dilemma, stating: “King Charles would have loved the opportunity to see his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet, but he knew inviting Harry and Meghan would have been awkward for the rest of the family. So, there was no official invitation.”
No Detour for Trump Trip
The Sussexes’ hope for a family reunion will be dashed again during King Charles’s planned state visit to the United States to meet with President Donald Trump.
The King’s schedule, packed with carefully curated engagements, leaves no room for personal family detours.
A royal source shared via Yahoo: “The visit is expected to span no more than four days in April 2026, anchored in Washington. Meetings at the White House, ceremonial obligations, and official engagements will be compressed into a schedule designed for maximum impact.”
It has been confirmed that the ailing king, 77, will certainly not be travelling to California to see the Hollywood royals.
The insider added: “Meanwhile, there is the question of whether the King will visit his younger son, the Duke of Sussex and his grandchildren, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, in California. But there will be no detour. While some close to the palace quietly suggest the Sussexes could travel east for a discreet meeting in Washington, their presence would dominate headlines, eclipsing the state visit, so for that reason, it remains improbable.”
Royal expert Jennie Bond explained the strict nature of such an official trip to the United States: “The schedule is worked out months in advance and is tightly packed with carefully curated engagements designed to enhance bilateral relations. There is very little downtime, and I can’t think that the King would fly across the whole country to visit Harry and his family in California.”
The Scathing Snub: Public Finds It Odd King Charles Won’t Arrange A Brief Visit With Archie And Lilibet In The US
King Charles will not see his son, daughter-in-law, or grandchildren during his meeting with the U.S. President; many find it odd that there is no room, no time, not even 55 minutes to arrange a private sit-down in a DC hotel with his grandchildren.
