Prince Harry managed to highlight “what a great loss he is” to the Royal Family during his recent visit to the UK, according to a veteran royal commentator.

The Duke of Sussex spent four busy days in Britain, which included his first reunion with King Charles in over 18 months.

During his stay, Harry devoted time to organizations close to his heart, met with crowds, and pledged generous donations to charitable causes.

Royal commentator Jennie Bond noted that Harry’s apparent success during the trip marked a “significant first step” toward mending relations with his father.

“He is so damned good at the job and this week he really seemed to be enjoying himself. He’s a natural with the crowds: funny, informal, charming,” Bond remarked.

“This week has shown what a great loss he is,” she added.

Palace Reaction and Limitations

The former BBC royal correspondent suggested the Palace would not have overlooked Harry’s strong performance but pointed out the challenges that remain.

She explained: “As the Palace is concerned, it seems the basic conundrum remains: how can a working member of the royal family, even a part-timer, also operate in the commercial world?”

Despite this, Bond believed Harry may have already found a way forward. She argued that “short, busy trips like the one he’s just done on his own terms and with his own security” could strike the right balance.

A Surprise Move to Ukraine

Bond also highlighted Harry’s unexpected decision to travel to Ukraine after leaving the UK, where he met veterans and spoke about the importance of “opening up to family.”

“Harry never ceases to surprise us these days! Everyone assumed he was flying straight back to California and now there he is in Ukraine,” she said.

“You have to hand it to him, he is finding the halfway house the Palace refused to allow him — and he’s doing it on his own terms,” she told The Mirror.

According to Bond, this approach could enable Harry to rebuild family ties, support the causes he cares about, and still enjoy “the celebrity life in California with the wife and family he loves so much.”

Reconciliation Requires Discretion

Bond also warned that for reconciliation to succeed, Harry would need to balance his independent style with greater discretion.

“First, there must be discretion,” she stressed, referring to the damaging disclosures Harry has made in the past.

During his meeting with the King, Harry promised that their conversation would remain private. Bond underlined the importance of that pledge: “It’s essential that the details must remain private, unless both sides agree to say what happened, which is extremely unlikely.”

She noted that Harry had only made one comment afterward, calling his father “great.” According to Bond, “An innocuous comment which shouldn’t cause any problems with the Palace and suggests that his reunion with his dad went well.”

This discretion could become especially important if Harry hopes to send his children, Archie and Lilibet, to schools in the UK.