Harry's Royal Return: A Solemn Tribute and the Lingering Family Divide

Prince Harry’s return journey to the U.K. began with a poignant visit to Queen Elizabeth II’s final resting place.

The 40-year-old Harry arrived in his homeland on Monday, September 8, ahead of a scheduled appearance at the WellChild Awards, and various news outlets reported that he promptly proceeded to St George's Chapel. Us Weekly has gathered that Harry laid a wreath and flowers on Elizabeth’s grave to offer his respects on the third anniversary of her passing.

Harry did not encounter any of his family members during his visit to his late grandmother. His brother, Prince William, was seen alongside his wife, Princess Kate Middleton, in Sunningdale for an engagement at the Women's Institute, an initiative Elizabeth had supported prior to her death.

Monday marks the first day of Harry's four-day visit back to the U.K. Royal observers are closely watching the family to determine if the Duke of Sussex will reunite with his father, King Charles III, while in the country. Speculation regarding a direct meeting between Harry and the 76-year-old Charles has been prevalent for months.

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“This potential encounter is critically important,” a royal insider shared exclusively with Us Weekly in last week’s feature story. “Should it go favorably, it could prompt other family members to be open to better relationships. If information is leaked negatively, then it’s over, and any chance [for peace] is gone.”

Neither Harry's nor Charles’ representatives have confirmed a meeting, but conjecture intensified after members of their inner circles convened in the U.K. this past July. Multiple sources reported at the time that Harry and Charles’ teams met to discuss the ongoing familial discord and potential paths to resolve the tension.

Us Weekly understands that Meredith Maines, the head of communications for Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, was in London for routine discussions with the U.K.-based communications group, media, key stakeholders, and senior individuals linked to the duke’s charitable endeavors.

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Harry has been in disagreement with his family since his and 44-year-old Meghan's departure from the royal family in 2020. However, the issues between the duke and his father became more publicly prominent in May. At that time, Harry lost his appeal for government-funded protection in the U.K. and suggested that Charles might have played a role in the decision.

“A significant amount of authority and capability lies in my father’s hands,” Harry stated to the BBC in a controversial interview. “Ultimately, this entire situation could be resolved through him. Not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing the experts [to] execute what is necessary.”