A smiling Prince Harry has spoken publicly for the first time about his emotional meeting with King Charles, raising hopes that the long-strained relationship between father and son may finally be on the mend.

The Duke of Sussex met with his father for about an hour at Clarence House on Wednesday — their first private encounter in more than 18 months.

A Warm Departure from Clarence House

Harry was seen leaving Clarence House around 6:15 pm before heading to a reception for an Invictus Games event. The Invictus Games, which he co-founded in 2014, is an international sporting competition for injured and wounded service personnel.

Beaming as he waved to the public, Harry appeared noticeably uplifted after his long-awaited reunion with the King.

Harry’s Words About His Father

At the Invictus event, a reporter asked Harry about his father’s health. His brief response spoke volumes: “Yes, he’s great, thank you.”

The remark signaled a sharp contrast from his BBC interview earlier this year, when Harry admitted he and the King were barely in contact due to disagreements over his security.

“There have been so many disagreements, differences between me and some of my family,” Harry said at the time. “This current situation that has been ongoing for five years with regard to human life and safety is the sticking point. It is the only thing that’s left.”

Possible Extension of London Stay

Harry’s visit has fueled speculation that he may prolong his time in London to attend the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, on Monday. The Duke and Duchess of Kent were present at Harry’s 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle and were once neighbors of the Sussexes at Kensington Palace.

The Duke has previously set aside family disputes during moments of mourning, such as when he joined Prince William at the funeral of their Spencer uncle, Robert Fellowes, last year.

It is understood that during this trip, Harry is staying at a hotel at his own expense and covering the costs of his personal security.