King Charles appears to have extended a warm gesture towards his youngest son, Prince Harry, and daughter-in-law Meghan Markle, in what many see as a subtle attempt to mend strained family ties.
Despite years of tension following the Sussexes’ decision to step down as working royals in 2020, new details suggest the King is making quiet efforts to rebuild bridges.
According to The Mirror, the 76-year-old monarch has chosen to display photographs of Harry and Meghan prominently inside his official Northern Irish residence, Hillsborough Castle. The images, carefully placed around the State Drawing Room, are being viewed as a symbolic olive branch to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
A palace source told the publication:
“Royal Historic Palaces make decisions on what they believe to be appropriate. They are also guided by members of The Royal Family, but the decision over what pictures of the family to use ultimately lies with the King.”
Hillsborough Castle, the official royal residence in Northern Ireland, has been managed by Historic Royal Palaces since April 2014. The estate, open to the public, spans 98 acres of manicured gardens, woodland, and waterways.
The inclusion of photos featuring Harry and Meghan in such a visible setting is seen as the King’s way of showing affection — and perhaps signaling openness to reconciliation — even amid years of royal tension.
Relations between Harry and King Charles have reportedly eased slightly since the Duke’s brief visit to the UK earlier this year. Harry flew home immediately after learning about his father’s cancer diagnosis, and the pair were said to have shared tea together at Clarence House last month.
However, sources claim the meeting felt “distinctly formal,” with some suggesting Harry felt more like an “official visitor” than a returning son.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry quickly refuted reports suggesting he was unhappy with the tone of the meeting.
“Recent reporting of The Duke’s view of the tone of the meeting is categorically false,” the spokesperson said.
“The quotes attributed to him are pure invention, likely coming from sources intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son. Presumably, those same sources have also chosen to disclose that gifts were exchanged.”
The spokesperson confirmed that a framed photograph was indeed given as a gift during the visit but clarified:
“While we would have preferred such details to remain private, for the sake of clarity, we can confirm that a framed photograph was handed over; however, the image did not contain the Duke and Duchess.”
While it remains uncertain whether this small gesture marks the start of genuine healing between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, many royal observers see King Charles’s move as a hopeful sign.
In a family long accustomed to public scrutiny and private tension, even the simple act of displaying a photograph might speak louder than words — signaling a desire to bring fractured relationships closer to peace.
