Prince Harry’s anticipated reunion with King Charles III may come with conditions attached, with palace insiders claiming the Duke of Sussex has drawn up a list of three key demands that has left courtiers “reeling.”
The 40-year-old duke is expected in London next week for the WellChild Awards, an event he has supported for years, and is tipped to reunite with his father. The two have not seen one another since January last year, during which time the King has undergone treatment for cancer.
But according to royal and celebrity reporter Rob Shuter, Harry has outlined three non-negotiable conditions before sitting down with his 76-year-old father.
Harry’s “List of Demands”
In his latest Substack, Shuter described Harry’s reported list as “so bold it has royal courtiers reeling.”
The first demand is for full security for himself, Meghan Markle, and their children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four — to be covered by the King. This comes despite Harry recently losing his legal bid to reinstate taxpayer-funded police protection.
The second condition is that Buckingham Palace take control of press management and paparazzi during his stay.
“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.”
The third and most controversial demand is that Meghan be treated as Her Royal Highness, complete with bows and curtsies, despite stepping down as a working royal in 2020.
“Harry insists Meghan must be treated as HRH,” a source said. “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.”
Peace Talks Behind the Scenes
The claims emerge after Harry’s representatives were seen in London for quiet “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.”
William Remains Opposed
While the King is said to be open to meeting with Harry, Prince William remains firmly against the idea.
The brothers last came face-to-face at the funeral of Lord Robert Fellowes in August 2024, but according to reports, William has “rejected out of hand” any suggestion of reconciliation.
A friend of the 43-year-old Prince of Wales 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.”