Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent “peace talks” with the royal family have given royal watchers a glimmer of optimism for a reunion.

Yet, experts suggest the couple’s push for reconciliation may be motivated by more than family healing, particularly as their public image continues to decline.

A Shift in Strategy Behind the Scenes

On The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Jack Royston, Newsweek’s Chief Royal Correspondent, revealed that the Sussexes recently overhauled their communications team. Both Harry and Meghan, he said, “had a clear-out” of their PR representatives in the UK and the US, bringing in a fresh group with a very different approach.

“They brought new people in who have come with new energy and a real determination to move the dial in terms of public opinion, move the dial in terms of media coverage of the Sussexes, and, that comes with it, move the dial in terms of the relationship with the Palace,” Royston explained.

This shift, he suggested, is closely linked to reports that Harry’s team and King Charles’s aides held a discreet meeting in London in July, which many viewed as a tentative step toward reconciliation.

Mixed Motives Behind the Push

Royston, however, cautioned that the Sussexes’ motives are layered and not entirely straightforward. “I think the reason behind it is fundamentally because Harry had a clear-out, and Meghan had a clear-out of their PR team… And I do agree that they’ve got a better team that’s trying to fashion something out of this, but I just think it’s a very confused, dilapidated thing, and I don’t see it going anywhere,” he said.

The timing of the talks also followed Harry’s public appeal for peace with his family during a BBC interview, which came just after he lost his legal fight to regain taxpayer-funded security in the UK.

A BBC Interview That Backfired

According to Royston, the BBC appearance was intended to spotlight Harry’s call for reconciliation, but frustration over his legal defeat bled into the conversation.

“That BBC interview was a huge moment, and Harry clearly experienced restraint, basically… I’m sure that they had that interview booked in the diary before they knew the outcome of the case, and Harry probably imagined that he was going to go in there and give this plea for reconciliation with his family… Then he saw we’d lost the case and was just furious about it, and so he started giving these swipes at Charles in the middle of this interview that was supposed to be calling for reconciliation,” Royston explained.

Prospects for Reconciliation

Despite missteps, Royston acknowledged that behind-the-scenes conversations are at least happening. “It is promising to see this new… kind of these new meetings taking place,” he said.

When asked whether reconciliation between Harry and his father is realistic, Royston suggested it is possible — but only with a softer approach. “I think there’s a chance we will, but I do think Charles is going to need to be slightly dragged into it,” he noted.

For reconciliation to truly succeed, Royston believes Harry must carry much of the emotional burden. “Harry is going to have to show Charles that having a relationship is not going to be exhausting and draining for him… And so it’s going to have to be softly, softly, and Harry’s probably going to have to soak some stuff up along the way.”