Photographs of royal aides at secret London talks spark panic, threaten fragile reconciliation effort

Fresh hopes of healing the royal rift between Prince Harry and King Charles have suffered a major setback after sensitive details of a behind-the-scenes “peace summit” between their senior aides were leaked to the press.

The Sussexes are said to be privately furious after a meeting between their communications advisers and the King’s right-hand man was splashed across the front pages—complete with photographs of the trio sipping drinks on a London balcony. Sources close to the Duke of Sussex insist he and Meghan had nothing to do with the leak.

The meeting, described as a “tentative first step” towards reconciliation, took place at the Royal Over-Seas League near Clarence House last week. On the guest list were Tobyn Andreae, the King’s communications secretary, Meredith Maines, Prince Harry’s new California-based media chief, and Liam Maguire, who leads the Sussexes’ UK PR team.

The Mail on Sunday revealed not only the venue and timing of the discreet encounter but also ran pictures of the aides visible from a public area, effectively exposing the event and triggering renewed tension between both camps.

A Buckingham Palace source refused to comment, while Team Sussex expressed dismay behind the scenes. “Having details of a fragile meeting splashed across the tabloids is no way to start mending fences,” one source close to Harry said.

The leak has reportedly increased suspicion on both sides, especially since the gathering was intended to signal a fresh start. “There was no agenda, no negotiations,” a source briefed on the talks told the newspaper. “Just a few drinks, the first conversation in a long time.”

It’s understood that both parties viewed the meeting as a way to slowly rebuild trust, especially in the wake of Harry’s public plea to “get my father and brother back” during a BBC interview earlier this year. The aides are said to have agreed to keep things informal to allow for “open, no-pressure dialogue.”

But the fragile optimism has now been clouded by renewed fears of media intrusion and further fallout. One palace insider suggested the leak could derail the entire process: “The fact they were photographed in the middle of such a sensitive exchange makes it difficult to see where this goes now.”

The relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family has been fractious since their departure for California in 2020. The situation further deteriorated following Harry and Meghan’s bombshell Oprah interview, revelations in the Duke’s memoir Spare, and a legal battle with the Home Office over security arrangements.

The most damaging rift remains between Harry and his brother, the Prince of Wales. Prince William was said to be particularly incensed by Harry’s claims of physical assault and what he saw as calculated attacks on the Princess of Wales for commercial gain.

The King, meanwhile, remains cautious. Though he met briefly with Harry following his cancer diagnosis in 2024, insiders say he’s wary of being dragged into the Duke’s ongoing legal disputes or having personal exchanges leaked to the press.

There are, however, glimmers of a possible thaw. Harry has reportedly invited the Royal Family to attend the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. Some palace aides are discussing the prospect of the King making an appearance—though much depends on what happens next.

For now, a fragile communications channel exists. But the leak of the recent London summit may have done lasting damage, and any path to reconciliation will now require more than carefully chosen words—it will require trust.