Following King Charles’ triumphant visit to the US to meet Donald Trump, experts tell the Mirror that trust with the Sussexes is broken amid worry of more ‘embarrassment’

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Trust is still a major sticking point in Prince Harry’s family, a royal expert says(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Prince Harry may have longed for a reunion with his father during the King’s high-profile visit to the US last week – but a source has said it remains “impossible” due to concerns he and wife Meghan would lift the lid on any private discussions.

The King, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, were hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania at the White House, presenting an ideal opportunity for a possible catch-up with Harry. But former royal editor Duncan Larcombe tells us there is no hope of such a meeting while trust is at an all-time low.

“Charles is in an impossible position right now,” claims Duncan. “He and Prince William can’t reach out to Harry for fear of him then publicising it. That’s the big blockage. If they were to resume contact, they run the risk that Harry and Meghan could disclose more personal details and drop more bombshells about what’s happening. This is where the fear lies for the royal family.”

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The King and Queen met Charlotte Tilbury and Lionel Richie on the US trip – but not Harry and Meghan(Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Duncan adds, “If Charles rang Harry and said, ‘I’m coming to the US, I’d love to see you,’ the danger is Harry would go public with it. That breakdown in trust is the most significant thing.”

Harry, 41, now lives in California with wife Meghan, 44, and their two children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, four. But relations with Charles and William, 43, are still deadlocked after the couple’s TV interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 in which they alleged racism within the royal family and a lack of support for Meghan. Relations soured further after the release of Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare, in which he wrote of explosive rows and accused William of physically attacking him.

Royal expert Richard Palmer agrees that Charles is in a very tricky position. “There’s always a general worry that Harry or Meghan are going to say something that will embarrass the King and Queen,” he says. “I don’t think anybody in the Sussex camp would have expected a meeting but I’d be very surprised if Harry wasn’t watching coverage of their visit.”

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Donald Trump has made a number of public statements about Prince Harry(Image: Getty)

Another complicating factor is the fact that President Trump has made it clear he is no fan of Harry or Meghan. “They are anathema to Donald Trump, so including them in the state visit would never have been an option,” adds Richard.

Over the years, the President has taken multiple swipes at the Sussexes, reportedly saying of Meghan, “That wife of his. Boy, what she’s done to that guy?” And last month, he also hit out after Harry’s plea for the US to show greater leadership over war-torn Ukraine.

“Prince Harry? How’s he doing?” he said. “How’s his wife? Please give her my regards. I know one thing, Prince Harry is not speaking for the UK, that’s for sure. I think I am speaking for the UK more than Prince Harry.”

Richard believes both Harry and the King will be deeply saddened that they have been unable to resolve their rift. “The whole thing is upsetting for both the Sussexes and the King.

“When they came over for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and attended Trooping the Colour, a senior royal figure made it clear that the King was thrilled to spend time with his grandchildren. There were hopes at that stage that things could improve, but sadly that’s not how it’s worked out, and there have been many more setbacks since then.”