In what may be the clearest sign yet that Prince Harry and King Charles are exploring a path back to peace, senior aides from both camps quietly met in London last week to begin what insiders are calling an “early conversation” toward mending strained ties.

Photographs published by the Mail on Sunday show Meredith Maines, the Duke of Sussex’s chief of staff and head of communications, arriving at the Royal Over-Seas League near Clarence House on July 9. She was joined by Liam Maguire, who handles U.K. press for Harry and Meghan, and Tobyn Andreae, King Charles’ communications secretary.

According to sources cited by the outlet, the meeting had no formal agenda but marked the first direct dialogue between representatives of father and son in years.

“There were things both sides wanted to talk about,” one source said. “It wasn’t a negotiation, but it was a chance to open a channel of communication — which hasn’t existed in a long time.”

They added that this meeting was just “a first step” and acknowledged that any real healing would take time: “There’s still a long road ahead. But this was the right moment. Everyone wants to move on.”

Behind the scenes, groundwork for this conversation had likely been months in the making. PEOPLE reports that Maines’ London visit was officially part of her regular duties, including meetings with press, stakeholders, and figures connected to the Duke’s charities and patronages.

Neither Buckingham Palace nor Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson offered comment, continuing a pattern of silence around personal matters between the royal family and the Sussexes.

Prince Harry has said recently that he remains open to reconciliation. In a BBC interview aired earlier this summer, he stated: “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”

Tensions between Harry and the royal institution have been publicly known since 2020, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their working roles. The situation worsened following their Oprah interview, a six-part Netflix docuseries, and Harry’s memoir Spare, in which he detailed years of friction, media pressure, and family hurt.

Still, some observers say a quiet, staff-level meeting such as this could represent a shift — not toward a formal reunion, but toward possibility. After years of silence and separate paths, the fact that both sides were willing to come to the table at all may be a meaningful start.