Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s upcoming UK trip has set tongues wagging due to their ongoing rift with the royal family and the potential for a reunion with, at least, King Charles.
However, insiders note that while the monarch is happy to have them over, even offering the couple royal accommodation, they must abide by his rules.
This comes amid claims that Prince Harry and Meghan might scrap their family trip altogether due to the UK government’s decision to deny them police protection.
Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Face Stern Warning From King Charles As UK Trip Looms
King Charles has reportedly established strict ground rules amid mounting concerns that Prince Harry and Meghan could cause drama during their upcoming UK trip.
According to reports, the monarch has been very optimistic and welcoming of the idea of his son and daughter-in-law finally visiting with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for the first time in four years.
Charles’ excitement over the possible reunion can be seen in how eagerly he reportedly offered the duke and duchess accommodation in a royal residence for the duration of their stay in the UK.
However, sources shared with Closer Online that while the king is supportive of Harry and Meghan’s trip, the couple must play by his rules, especially as he is aware of the friction between the Sussexes and the Waleses.
“Charles has gone above and beyond to make this visit happen, but nobody should mistake that for blind trust. The reality is that he’s taking a huge chance and he knows it,” a source said. “He’s made it very clear to Harry that there cannot be any drama or any hint that this trip is being used for personal gain. If he sees any cameras or gets a whiff of troublemaking, that will be the end of things.”
They added, “Charles is willing to extend an olive branch, but he’s not willing to be embarrassed or blindsided again.”
There Is Still ‘Zero Trust’ In The Duchess Of Sussex As Her Trip With Harry Divides The Royal Family
Insiders have noted that Harry and Meghan’s UK trip has caused a major split among royal family members due to the rift with the couple, which has dragged on since they stepped down as working royals in 2020.
Senior royals like Prince William and Kate Middleton are said to view the king’s move to welcome the Sussexes during their trip as a “huge mistake.”
But while Charles seems to be very open to having Harry and Meghan, a source noted that he has made it clear to the duke that any “wrong move,” especially from his wife, will ruin any chance for a proper reconciliation.
“Charles is willing to welcome Meghan because she’s Harry’s wife and the mother of his grandchildren, but that doesn’t mean all is forgiven,” the source noted. “Meghan is still viewed by many as the cause of all the drama, and there’s zero trust.”
“This is only happening because it’s what Charles wants,” the insider said about the couple’s trip, adding, “but one wrong move on Meghan’s part and any hope of a more permanent reconciliation could disappear overnight.”
King Charles’ Push For Reunion Has Reportedly Strained His Relationship With Prince William
The monarch’s decision to go against the grain and pave a path for a reunion with the Sussexes has reportedly come at a major cost: the strain on his once-close relationship with Prince William.
A source told Closer that the future king is certain his father is taking a big risk by engaging with Harry and Meghan, especially as he’s still “very burned” by the claims made by the couple after their royal family exit.
“Charles has already paid a price for pushing for this reunion; it’s caused so much tension between him and William, and it’s got Camilla angry with him, too,” the source said.
“They’re convinced he’s taking an unnecessary risk and setting them all up for more agony, and the reality is that Charles has spent years giving Harry and Meghan a very wide berth,” the insider continued.
According to the source, there is a strong belief in the palace that Meghan “encouraged” Harry to quit being a working royal and leave the UK behind, which is “why there’s still so much wariness around her.”
Kate Middleton Finds It ‘Impossible’ To Forgive The Duchess Of Sussex
Charles is not the only senior royal wary of the potential chaos Harry and Meghan’s trip could bring, as reports claim Kate is privately dreading the couple’s return.
Following their highly publicized exit from royal life, the couple made some eyebrow-raising claims about other members of the royal family and the monarchy as a whole in an interview with Oprah Winfrey and the duke’s memoir, “Spare.”
According to sources, quoted by Heat Magazine, the Princess of Wales still finds it difficult to forget all that was said, especially with so much unresolved between her and the Duchess of Sussex.
“Kate is an incredibly forgiving person, but there has been so much hurt stirred up over the years by Meghan, it’s impossible for her to simply forget everything and move on overnight,” a source said.
They continued, “Kate does want to see Harry, and she wants to do whatever she can to help the King, but there’s no denying that having Meghan there makes things worlds more complicated for her.”
Prince Harry’s Request For Police Protection Was Denied By The UK Government, Leaving Him ‘Distraught’
Meanwhile, with just a few days left before their UK trip, drama already seems to be brewing due to Harry’s concerns over security.
According to The Guardian, sources close to the duke revealed that he was left “distraught” after the UK government denied him and his family police protection.
Harry was reportedly thrilled at the prospect of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet finally bonding with their grandfather, but those dreams have hit a wall over major security concerns regarding their safe travel to the country.
“Their plans to see family, friends, and visit various charitable causes close to the duke’s heart have been pulled out from under their feet at the 11th hour,” a source told the news outlet.
They added, “[Harry’s] looking at every option to try and get the family here safely and keep them safe when they’re on the ground. If he can find a way to do that, he will.”