Harry and Meghan 'frustrated' after details of secret 'peace summit' between Sussexes' spokesperson and King's aide is caught on camera
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last night denied leaking details of the rendezvous between Meredith Maines and the King's communications secretary Tobyn Andreae in London on Wednesday.
Liam Maguire, who runs Harry and Meghan's UK public relations team, was also at the meeting at the Royal Over-Seas League near Clarence House – a private members' club, which, somewhat ironically, champions international friendship and of which the King is patron.
It is not known whether it was Charles or Harry who arranged the 'peace talks' but pictures of the two sides enjoying drinks raised hopes of a reconciliation.
Both Harry, 40, and his father, 76, are said to be keen to reconcile, especially after the King was diagnosed with cancer last year.
However, Harry and Meghan are said to have been frustrated that pictures of the extraordinary meeting were published in The Mail on Sunday.
Sources close to Prince Harry insisted the Sussexes were not responsible for passing details of the meeting on to the newspaper.
A secret meeting took place between Head of Comms for Royal Family Tobyn Andrea and Meridith Maines head of comms for The Sussexes
Harry and Meghan are said to have been frustrated that pictures of the extraordinary meeting were published in The Mail on Sunday
A source said the summit was only the 'first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction'
They acknowledged that having the details splashed across newspaper front pages was not an ideal start to what they had hoped would be a new period of peace, The Telegraph reported last night.
Pictures of the meeting show Ms Maines, carrying a black Louis Vuitton bag, arrive by taxi with Mr Maguire at 3:50pm on Wednesday.
Mr Andreae turned up minutes later carrying a gift from Berry Bros & Rudd, the official wine supplier to the Royal Family. The trio were later seen chatting over drinks in the 26C (78F) sunshine on a first-floor garden terrace overlooking Green Park.
After ten minutes they resumed their discussions inside. A source said the summit was only the 'first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction'.
The source told The Mail on Sunday: 'There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years. There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about.'
Royal experts suggested the meeting was 'more of a courtesy call' than peace talks. Royal commentator Ingrid Seward said she believed it was simply a chance for Ms Maines, who was appointed earlier this year, to meet her British counterpart, respected royal aide Mr Andreae.
King Charles III walks with his son Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex as they arrive at St George's Chapel on September 19, 2022, ahead of the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II
The Palace refused to comment on whether Prince William was aware of the meeting but royal experts said it was unlikely to have gone ahead without his approval.
The 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham is one opportunity for a public reconciliation reportedly being discussed by both sides.
Buckingham Palace and Mr Andreae declined to comment last night.
The Sussexes' representatives did not respond.
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