Prince Harry needs to show “consistent discipline” and avoid the “ugliness” of bombshell interviews to rebuild his relationship with King Charles III, a PR expert told Newsweek.
The Duke of Sussex’s press team and the king’s director of communications were photographed having a discreet meeting at a private members’ club in July.
The aim was to encourage a closer working relationship between the staff of the two royals to avoid, for example, diary clashes.
A photographer from The Mail on Sunday captured pictures of both sides at the peace summit at the Royal Over-Seas League, in London. Eric Schiffer, chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, told Newsweek there was a risk at the time that “the public looks at this with a lot of skepticism,” believing it to be set up.
“I do think there is a path because I think Harry does want it,” he added. “I think the king would rather have smoother relations in a way that assists the monarchy, so I do see reconciliation happening but its going to take time and more patience and consistent discipline by Harry.
“The question is: can he do that or will there just be some more monetization where he’s going to spew some more ugliness?
“That’s what we’re going to have to find out, but I don’t think it’s as long of a shot as people say and I think it would be good for both of them.”
The pictures emerging in the press earlier in the summer risked shattering the embryonic steps toward peace, but Newsweek understands both sides were philosophical about the tabloid’s sourcing and it did not derail the new relationship.
In the meantime, Harry has not fired any new broadsides his father’s way, though a key test will be whether he can see his father during his next trip to Britain.
Nothing has been publicly confirmed about when that will be, though Harry often attends the WellChild Awards in London, which is usually in September.
It will be a busy month for the king due to the state visit by President Donald Trump to Windsor Castle on September 17 to 19.
Once upon a time, Harry would have played a key role, but since quitting as a working royal in 2020 that responsibility will fall to Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as Prince William and Princess Kate.
If Harry does make a U.K. visit in September, he will be hoping it comes comfortably outside of the state visit, or the chances of him meeting the king will dramatically reduce.
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.
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