Prince Harry has met his father King Charles at Clarence House in London on Wednesday for their first face-to-face meeting since February 2024.
The clues have been scattered all over the place in recent months.
In his BBC interview in May, there was a distinct shift in tone from the prince.
After years of raw, emotional media appearances, the Netflix documentary series, and the searing criticism of the royal family in his memoir Spare, this was a different Prince Harry in front of the cameras.
I would love a reconciliation with my family, he said. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious.
Prince Harry had made his position clear. He wanted to see his father but was the King feeling the same way?
A photograph in the Mail on Sunday in July showed the media communications team representing Prince Harry meeting in London with the King's communications director. This image suggested there was a dialogue, opening a channel of communication between both camps.
Both sides have remained tight-lipped, with no hints of a reunion until now. The secrecy surrounding the meeting increased public interest, and following the mutual silence, educated guesses were made regarding when the meeting might occur.
As predictions relied on gaps in their schedules, it wasn't clear when the two might meet again. Ultimately, their first meeting in a year and a half took place without incident.
The Palace later confirmed that the King had a private tea with his son, lasting about 50 minutes during Harry's visit to London for charity engagements.
After the meeting, both parties stressed to the media that there would be no details disclosed regarding their conversation.
This meeting is viewed as an important, albeit small, step towards reconciliation. Both sides clearly understand the importance of rebuilding familial ties.
While it is still uncertain what the future holds for Prince Harry, King Charles, and the broader royal family, this visit symbolized a shift that many hope could lead to further healing.
Prince Harry returns to the US today, but with a meeting over a cup of tea holding promise, the discussions of reconciliation may not be over yet.
