LONDON, Sept 1: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be considering a partial return to senior royal duties as his relationship with King Charles appears to be improving. After months of estrangement, the two are expected to meet for the first time since February 2024.

According to royal expert Kristen Meinzer, Prince Harry has never intended to completely step away from his senior royal responsibilities. “Harry has repeatedly said that it was never his intention to completely surrender his senior royal duties,” Meinzer told Daily Express US.

She added, “In a perfect world, he and Meghan would have been able to do what Edward and Sophie did early on in their marriage – pursue their own passions while also serving the crown.” Instead, Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal life and relocated to the United States.

Meinzer noted that Queen Elizabeth II did not offer them the same flexibility, nor did the institution adequately address the racism Meghan faced. “But Charles is not his mother. And if he arranged for their duties to have both some flexibility and a great deal of safety, I think Harry and Meghan would certainly consider accepting the opportunity,” she said.

Security remains a key factor in any potential return. “I think Harry would love to return to the UK, at least part-time,” Meinzer said. “He wants to spend time with his UK friends and family. He wants his wife and children to know and love his homeland. That’s why he’s been trying so hard to reinstate the security that Charles took away. He wants to spend time there, but he wants to do so safely.”

The Duke of Sussex is scheduled to be in London on Sept. 8 for the annual WellChild Awards, coinciding with the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death. Reports from The Mirror suggest there is “determination on both sides to make [a reunion] happen.”

“Nobody is pretending the wider family issues have been resolved, but this is about beginning with Charles and Harry,” the outlet said.

Prince Harry has publicly expressed a desire for reconciliation. In a BBC interview earlier this year, he said, “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff [the Sussex family is entitled to in the U.K.], but it would be nice to reconcile.”

While it remains unclear whether Harry and Meghan will fully resume senior royal duties, this reunion marks a positive step toward rebuilding family ties and maintaining connections with the UK.