Prince William probably knew about the secret ‘peace summit’ between the Sussexes’ key aides and the King’s communications secretary but will be a ‘tougher nut to crack’ than his father, MailOnline can reveal today.
The photographs published in The Mail on Sunday have been made headlines around the world and raised hopes of reconciliation between the warring royals.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have denied leaking details of the rendezvous between Meredith Maines, Liam Maguire and the King’s communications secretary Tobyn Andreae in London on Wednesday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales did not have their own representative at the summit at a club close to Buckingham Palace, but will have been made aware, MailOnline’s source said today.
But there will be fresh ‘frustrations’ that the meeting was leaked at a time when ‘trust’ is at an all time low – especially between Harry and William.
‘Prince Harry made it clear in May that he was fed up with the fighting and wanted to reconcile with his family, not least because his father hasn’t shared his cancer prognosis with him and he just hasn’t got a clear picture about His Majesty’s health. A first step is getting their offices talking to one another again’, the royal insider said.
‘Tobyn Andreae is director of communications for the whole royal household so in that sense could be seen to be representing the Prince and Princess of Wales but, in reality, they run their own operation. Many things have been said that probably everyone regrets but if there is reconciliation, it’s likely that William and Kate are going to be a tougher nut to crack than the King.
‘I’d be surprised if William wasn’t aware that it was going ahead. His office and Team Sussex have coordinated in the past, even when the two brothers weren’t speaking, over events for the Diana Award or the unveiling of the Diana statue.
‘But relations have been increasingly strained even at that level between the Sussexes and both the King’s and William’s offices’.
The source added: ‘The first step has to be building trust so I think there’s frustration that this meeting was leaked’.
A secret meeting took place between Director of Communications for the Royal Household, Tobyn Andreae, and Meridith Maines, head of comms for The Sussexes as well as Liam Maguire, Harry and Meghan’s comms chief in the UK
Harry and Meghan are said to have been frustrated that pictures of the extraordinary meeting were published in The Mail on Sunday
William and Harry together at Kensington Palace in 2021. The brothers have fallen out badly
It came amid claims that Harry and Meghan are said to be frustrated after a meeting between their chief of communications and an aide of the King was caught on camera.
The meeting was 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.
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.
The King is said to have backed the historic summit with a source close to His Majesty hailing it as a ‘significant moment’ that could repair the relationship with his son.
A source told The Mirror: ‘The King has consistently shown he loves both his sons and, as he has done in the past, is prepared to meet Harry when their diaries allow.
‘It’s not unusual for aides from different households to meet, especially when there is a new influx of staff starting, but this is a significant moment.
‘If there is a period of calm and reflection on the part of the duke, then there be a way forward for him to begin along the road of repairing his relationship with his father.’
But the source cautioned repairing the relationship with his brother was a ‘different matter entirely and one which he will find much harder to repair’.
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 Duke and Duchess of Sussex last night denied leaking details of the rendezvous between Meredith Maines (pictured) and the King’s communications secretary Tobyn Andreae
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’
Tobyn Andreae arrives for the secret meeting – turning up minutes after Ms Maines with a gift from Berry Bros & Rudd
Sources close to Prince Harry insisted the Sussexes were not responsible for passing details of the meeting on to the newspaper
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 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.
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.
California-based Harry is set to next visit the UK in September for the annual WellChild events.
Buckingham Palace and Mr Andreae declined to comment last night. A spokesman for the Sussexes also declined to comment.
MailOnline asked a spokesman for the Prince and Princess of Wales to comment.
