Prince Harry reportedly harbours deep fears that he could be cast out of Britain entirely when Prince William eventually becomes King, according to claims from a royal expert.
The Duke of Sussex, who has lived in California with his wife, Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, since 2020, is said to be desperate for reconciliation, especially with his father, King Charles III. But with tensions still simmering and trust levels low, any resolution seems uncertain.
Prince Harry Fears Exile Under King William
A surprising meeting between Harry and Meghan’s representatives and senior aides to the King recently took place in London, fuelling speculation of a thaw in relations.
Meredith Maines, the couple’s chief of staff in California, and Liam Maguire, who oversees their UK public relations, reportedly met with Charles’s communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae, at the Royal Over-Seas League—just a short walk from Clarence House.
It’s unclear who initiated the meeting, but the gathering has been widely interpreted as a potential peace summit. Notably absent, however, were representatives of Prince William.
This comes in the wake of Harry’s revealing BBC interview, where he declared, “life is precious” and added, “I would like to get my father and brother back.”
Fears of a Cold Future Under William
Royal biographer Tom Bower believes Harry is increasingly anxious about what might happen once his father passes.
“Harry is seriously worried that when his father dies one day, William will literally banish him and he will have no status in Britain at all… He will be persona non grata,” Bower told The Mirror.
Bower, who penned “Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors”, added that while Harry appears “desperate” to mend fences with King Charles, there remains a distinct lack of trust within the Palace.
There’s also speculation that Harry’s upcoming visit to the UK in September, for the WellChild event, may not include a meeting with the King, who is expected to be at Balmoral at the time, preparing for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

A Rift Too Wide to Repair?
Even if father and son manage to reconnect, many believe the damage is already too deep.
Bower referenced Harry’s reaction following the loss of his security case appeal in May. In a BBC interview, the Duke labelled the ruling a “good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up” and hinted that the Royal Household had played a part in swaying the outcome.
The royal author believes this adds to Harry’s fear that “once Charles dies, he will get no help from William” in his efforts to regain security privileges in the UK.
Meanwhile, Meghan appears to be staying at arm’s length. The Duchess recently posted a promotional video for her “As Ever” wine brand on Instagram, which she described as a birthday gift for her “ladies near and far”. The post went live on Queen Camilla’s 78th birthday, prompting raised eyebrows among royal watchers.
William’s Forgiveness Unlikely
While there’s some hope for reconciliation between Harry and King Charles, Prince William may be less inclined to bury the hatchet.
Royal commentator Hugo Vickers told The Sun, “I don’t think it’s all gone too far… It’s always good to talk. Lots can come out of talking.” However, he was less optimistic about a reunion between the feuding brothers.
“That is very insulting, and I think William is likely to be more of an unforgiving person than his father,” Vickers said, referring to allegations Harry made against William and Kate in his memoir “Spare”.
Vickers added: “If I was advising Prince Harry, I would say, get onto good terms with your father as soon as possible, and then that’s step one… step two, try to get on good terms with your brother.”

Glimmers of Hope Amid the Turmoil
Prince Harry is reportedly planning to invite both King Charles and Prince William to the next Invictus Games. This move could potentially set the stage for the most significant reconciliation yet.
Meanwhile, the Duke has been on a solo mission in Angola, echoing the work of his late mother, Princess Diana. He was photographed walking through former minefields with the Halo Trust charity, 28 years after Diana’s iconic visit.
Harry, who became patron of the organisation in 2019, hopes the visit will prompt more support from the Angolan government for the charity’s efforts.
The rift within the Royal Family traces back to Harry and Meghan’s 2020 decision to step down from their senior royal roles. Since then, contact between Harry and King Charles has reportedly been limited, with multiple attempts at reconciliation falling flat.
In 2023, Harry returned to the UK to mark 10 years of the Invictus Games but did not meet with the King due to the Monarch’s packed diary. Though offered a royal apartment, Harry declined the gesture, seen by many as a snub.
Harry’s relationship with William has deteriorated further since the release of “Spare”. In it, he alleged that William physically assaulted him in 2019 and made disparaging remarks about Meghan. Meghan also claimed that Kate made her cry in the lead-up to her wedding.
Their last significant public appearance together was at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022. Despite standing near one another during a later memorial, sources claim they didn’t exchange words.
The once inseparable brothers, who shared a tight-knit group of friends growing up, now appear firmly estranged.
While there remains some hope for Harry to rebuild his bond with King Charles, a full family reunion—especially with William—seems distant. With trust frayed and past wounds still raw, the path to peace is steep. But as royal watchers continue to dissect every move and meeting, one thing is certain: the Duke of Sussex isn’t giving up just yet.