When Prince Harry took his family to the King’s private residence in Gloucestershire last weekend for a royal reunion, only a select few were aware of what was happening, even the royals. New reports about the secret meeting at Highgrove House last Friday bring fresh insight into what really has gone on behind the scenes.
The meeting took place while Prince Harry was carrying out engagements throughout the country for his charities. Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, managed to sneak into the UK unnoticed, just as news about their whereabouts and their potential return to Britain were dominating the news. Sources close to the Sussex couple have told Vanity Fair that Friday’s meeting, which lasted for about an hour, was “completely cloak-and-dagger, orchestrated by the King.”
Only those involved – the King and Queen, the Sussex couple, and aides – were aware of the meeting. The sources claimed that not even the Prince and Princess of Wales were aware.
A source said: “The King wanted to see Harry and the children. A time was agreed for the Sussexes to come to Highgrove on Friday afternoon, and it was uncharacteristically last-minute for the King. Everyone was sworn to secrecy so that the meeting could remain private.”
They revealed that the King wanted his wife present for moral support, with the Queen having no second thoughts and rushing to her husband’s side without telling anyone.
Regarding Harry and Meghan’s approach to the meeting, the source said: “They are keeping the meeting top secret. They haven’t said anything to anyone,
“The agreement was made before they met the king that nothing would be shared—no photos, no details. It was a top-secret arrangement, and they pulled it off, and frankly, they are delighted about that.”
“They were at Highgrove for an hour or so, but don’t expect to hear anything about what was said,.
“That was the promise Harry made to his father. It’s critical because this is the first time the families have met in four years. Harry was very pleased it happened because everything was up in the air.”
Buckingham Palace only confirmed the meeting had taken place after the two families parted ways, with an aide adding that there will be no further details or images released.