Harry reunites with King Charles as Meghan and children return Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have reunited with King Charles and Queen Camilla in what is being described as the most significant step towards healing the Royal Family rift since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left royal duties in 2020. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King and Queen hosted the family at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire on Friday afternoon, describing the gathering simply as "a private family occasion." First family reunion in four yearsThe meeting marked the first time King Charles has seen his grandchildren, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, in person for more than four years. It was also Meghan's first visit to the UK alongside Prince Harry since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. Sources close to the family said both father and son were keen for the meeting to happen during Harry's latest visit to Britain, with the King making time in his schedule to welcome his son and grandchildren to his private residence. Signs of reconciliationRelations between the Sussexes and the Royal Family have remained deeply strained since Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals before relocating to California. While this private reunion does not signal that all family divisions have been resolved, it is widely seen as an important breakthrough following years of public disagreements, interviews and legal disputes. Prince Harry has previously travelled to Britain without his family and met the King on several occasions, but Friday's gathering represents the first full family reunion in years. William remains absentDespite the meeting with the King, there are still no signs of a reconciliation between Harry and his brother, Prince William. As Harry and Meghan spent time with the King and Queen at Highgrove, the Prince of Wales was taking part in a charity polo match in Windsor. Palace sources say there were no plans for the brothers to meet during Harry's visit. Busy week for the King and HarryEarlier on Friday, Prince Harry visited Birmingham to promote the next Invictus Games, receiving a warm welcome from competitors and supporters while taking part in activities including wheelchair rugby and pickleball. King Charles had spent the day attending engagements in Oxfordshire, including opening a new building at the University of Oxford and meeting British astronaut Tim Peake to launch a new space initiative. Earlier in the week, the King and Queen also visited London Zoo during the UK's continuing heatwave. Security row overshadowed visitHarry's trip to Britain had initially been overshadowed by confusion over travel plans and security arrangements. Early announcements suggested Meghan and the children would accompany him to public engagements in London and Birmingham, but those plans were later dropped following disagreements over security. There was also confusion over reports that Harry had accepted an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace, with Palace officials insisting no such accommodation had been offered. Despite those controversies, Friday's private family gathering has become the defining moment of the visit and could represent the first tentative step towards rebuilding relationships within the Royal Family after years of division. Source: BBC News
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