‘Harry still doesn't like being controlled': Royal family warned Prince Harry ‘won't change' after olive branch
Speculation the rift between Harry and King Charles is finally starting to mend has ramped up in recent weeks after five years of public betrayals by the Sussexes.
A fortnight ago, Harry's new chief communications officer Meredith Maines and UK-based PR rep Liam Maguire were photographed meeting with the King's top aide, Communications Secretary Tobyn Andreae, near Clarence House.
The meeting, first revealed by The Mail on Sunday, reportedly had "no formal agenda" but there were "things both sides wanted to talk about".
According to an insider who spoke to the same outlet, the meeting marked a turning point for the Sussexes, who have often been accused of timing publicity stunts to overshadow royal occasions.
Harry and Meghan's penchant for conveniently timing their cash-grabs with royal events began in the months following Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022.
Since then, scarcely a Trooping the Colour or royal tour has gone by without Harry or Meghan dropping a media grenade on the same day.
'Before that meeting between their aides in London, conflicts of interest or clashes of publicity were relished and even perhaps encouraged by the Sussexes,' the insider told The Mail On Sunday.
'Now, Harry has shifted into a new way of thinking.
'The tone is now all about 'deconflicting' with his family.
'That's why his household agreed to draw up a 'grid' of his activities and share them with Buckingham Palace, and by extension with Kensington Palace.'
However, the source warned Buckingham Palace that Harry's 'olive branch' did not indicate the Duke of Sussex is open to working directly with Buckingham Palace.
'Harry still doesn't like being controlled by the Royal machinery, and that won't change,' the source said.
The report comes after another Sussex insider told Woman's Day that Harry is prepared to reconcile with his father without Markle's support.
'(Harry) reluctantly accepts his family hate (Meghan) so there's no sense involving her in peace talks because they'd turn him down flat if he were to try,' the source said.
'So Harry's new tactic is to do this solo. He's willing to fly to the UK, set up mediation meetings, whatever they'll agree to.'
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