Prince Harry's upcoming visit to the United Kingdom has sparked speculation about a potential meeting with his father, King Charles III. The visit coincides with the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death, which may provide an opportunity for reconciliation between the estranged father and son.

Harry, who has been largely out of contact with the royal family since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, will be in London to attend the WellChild Awards. This event honors the bravery of seriously ill children and their caregivers, a cause Harry has long supported. His last meeting with King Charles occurred in February 2024, shortly after the king was diagnosed with cancer. The two spent about 45 minutes together before Charles left for recuperation at Sandringham.

The relationship between Harry and the royal family has been strained, particularly after Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, shared their grievances in a high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey, a Netflix series, and Harry's memoir, "Spare." These revelations have deepened the rift, especially with Harry's elder brother, Prince William, who reportedly remains angry and unwilling to reconcile.

Royal experts suggest that the timing of Harry's visit could be significant. Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator, noted that King Charles is dealing with his health issues and may desire to reconnect with Harry. "Reconciliation, especially when illness is involved, is highly desirable. But for it to work, there must be mutual trust," Fitzwilliams said.

Despite Harry's expressed desire for reconciliation, he has also maintained a critical stance regarding the royal family's past actions, particularly concerning his security arrangements. In a recent interview, he stated, "What I’m struggling to forgive... is the decision that was made in 2020 that affects my every single day and that is knowingly putting me and my family in harm’s way."

In July, there were signs of a thaw in relations when Harry's new communications team was seen meeting with representatives from King Charles's office. This meeting, described as a "secret peace summit," indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue, although the specifics of any potential meeting between Harry and Charles remain uncertain.

As Harry prepares for the WellChild Awards, he emphasized the importance of compassion and community in his statement about the event. "For 20 years these Awards have highlighted the courage of young people living with complex health needs and shone a light on the devoted caregivers — family and professionals — who support them every step of the way," he said.

While there is hope for a reconciliation, the damage from past allegations of insensitivity and conflict within the royal household lingers. Harry's memoir has particularly strained relations, revealing private conversations and portraying the royal family in a less than favorable light.

As King Charles approaches his 77th birthday and continues his cancer treatment, he may be motivated to mend fences with Harry, especially to spend time with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Harry has stated that reconciliation requires truth, and he has placed the onus on his family to initiate this process. "It would be nice to have that reconciliation part now," he said. "If they don’t want that, that’s entirely up to them."

The outcome of Harry's visit and any potential meeting with King Charles remains to be seen, but it is clear that the path to reconciliation will require significant effort from both sides.