Prince Harry’s trip back home to the U.K. started with an emotional visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s grave.
Harry, 40, flew into his home country on Monday, September 8, ahead of a planned appearance at the WellChild Awards, and multiple outlets reported that he immediately headed to St George’s Chapel. Us Weekly understands that Harry laid a wreath and flowers on Elizabeth’s grave to pay his respects on the third anniversary of her death.
Harry did not cross paths with any of his family members while visiting his late grandmother. His brother, Prince William, stepped out alongside wife Princess Kate Middleton in Sunningdale for an appearance at the Women’s Institute, a cause Elizabeth supported before her death.
Monday is day 1 of Harry’s four-day trip back to the U.K. Royal watchers are keeping a keen eye on the family to see whether the Duke of Sussex reunites with his father, King Charles III, while in town. Rumors of a face-to-face meeting between Harry and Charles, 76, have been swirling for months.
How Prince Harry Honored Queen Elizabeth II During ‘Special’ U.K. Visit
“This meetup is make-or-break,” a royal source told Us Weekly exclusively in last week’s cover story. “If it goes well, it could lead to other family members being open to better relationships. If things get leaked negatively, then it’s done, and there’s no chance [for peace].”
Neither Harry nor Charles’ teams have confirmed a meeting, but speculation started to rise after members of their inner circles sat down in the U.K. this past July. Multiple outlets reported at the time that Harry and Charles’ teams met to discuss the ongoing family feud and what can be done to resolve the drama.
Us Weekly understands that Meredith Maines, the chief communications officer for Harry and wife Meghan Markle, was in London for routine meetings with the U.K.-based communications team, media, stakeholders and senior figures connected to the duke’s patronages.
King Charles Doesn’t Want Prince Harry Feud to ‘Overshadow His Legacy’
Harry has been at odds with his family since departing the royal family with Meghan, 44, in 2020. However, issues between the duke and his father took a more public turn in May. At the time, Harry lost his appeal for government-funded security in the U.K. and hinted that Charles might have had a hand in the decision.
“There is a lot of control and ability in my father’s hands,” Harry told the BBC in a bombshell interview. “Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him. Not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing the experts [to] do what is necessary.”
