Will Prince Harry Apologize to King Charles?

The relationship between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles, had been strained since Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals in 2020. Then came that Oprah interview, and Harry’s memoir, and for a while it seemed like the relationship would never be repaired. But now, after a meeting between father and son last year, and one including Camilla, Meghan and the kids, things are looking up.

And they’re reportedly looking up to the point that there are discussions about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex issuing a carefully crafted public apology to rebuild trust with King Charles and the Royal Family.

“This isn’t about Harry and Meghan admitting they were wrong about everything,” one insider told Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice. “It’s about acknowledging that the past five years have caused enormous pain. The debate now is over what an apology should say—and, just as importantly, what it shouldn’t.”

Related: Harry & Charles Reportedly ‘Haven’t Had a Single Conversation’ Post-UK Visit Amid Report the King Is ‘Deeply Disappointed’ in Meghan’s Diana Grave Photo

Experts say repairing the relationship is about more than just private meetings, and this could be a good step forward. “Everyone agrees trust has to be rebuilt,” another source said. “The challenge is finding language that gives the King the respect he wants without forcing Harry and Meghan to walk back every interview, documentary, or page of Spare.”

“An apology doesn’t have to be a surrender,” a palace source said. “It’s an acknowledgment that this family feud went too far. Charles wants peace—but he also wants respect. This could be the first real step toward both.”

This all comes after reports that the recent reunion has opened to door for Harry to visit the UK more, including perhaps during the Christmas holiday. And that could put Harry and his estranged brother William on the path towards a reunion that people expect won’t be as simple as that between father and son.

“He always gets very homesick at that time of year. He misses being a part of all their traditions, and he would love Archie and Lilibet to experience a proper royal Christmas,” a source told RadarOnline about Harry.

And though the expectation is William wouldn’t react well, Harry “simply doesn’t care” what William thinks.

“If he wants to be nasty about it and turn it into some sort of ugly confrontation, Harry can’t stop him, but he’s not going to let William dictate the terms of when his children spend time with their grandfather,” the insider added.

Is there any hope of the brothers reconciling? “William is furious at everything that Harry did to throw the family under the bus,” royal expert Hilary A. Fordwich told RadarOnline. “It’s emotional blackmail what Harry is doing with his children’s grandfather – and without a doubt, William feels the same way.”

But Harry is allegedly not backing down. “Harry is determined not to let this visit be a one-off, and obviously the king’s diary has to be arranged well in advance, so he’s already started speaking to his father about when they should meet next,” the insider said.

“As far as he’s concerned, if Charles wants him there, that’s all the encouragement he needs to keep moving forward. If it sends William into a meltdown, so be it. He’s not going to be bullied.”