Joshua Sammer/Getty; Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Senior aides for Prince Harry and King Charles met in London — signaling the first real step toward healing the royal family rift The informal talks, seen as an olive branch, opened a channel of communication for the first time in years The meeting comes after Harry expressed hope for reconciliation in a recent BBC interview In the strongest sign yet thatPrince HarryandKing Charlesmay be inching toward reconciliation, senior aides from both sides held a quiet meeting in London last week — an apparent olive branch after years of estrangement. Meredith Maines, the Duke of Sussex's chief of staff and communications director, flew in from Montecito and was photographed meeting with Tobyn Andreae, King Charles' communications secretary, on Wednesday, July 9. Also present was Liam Maguire, who oversees U.K. press for Harry and his wife,Meghan Markle.The Mail on Sundaywas first to report the behind-the-scenes gathering. The informal talks — held at the Royal Over-Seas League, a private members' club just minutes from Clarence House — reportedly involved no formal agenda but offered a rare opportunity for both sides to open a "channel of communication for the first time in years," a source told the outlet. "There were things both sides wanted to talk about." LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty The source said the meeting was only the "first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction." While there's a "long road ahead," the source toldThe Mail on Sunday, "everyone just wants to move on and move forward now. It was finally the right time for the two sides to talk." PEOPLE understands that Maines' visit to London was officially part of her routine duties. As Chief Communications Officer to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, she was in town to meet with the U.K.-based communications team, media contacts, stakeholders and senior figures connected to the Duke's patronages. The trip was part of ongoing planning and engagement. Related:Prince Harry Will Invite Prince William and King Charles to Upcoming Invictus Games in the U.K.: Report Buckingham Palace and a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex declined to comment when reached by PEOPLE. The meeting comes just weeks afterHarry told the BBCthat the door to "reconciliation" remains open. "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight anymore," he said. The royal family's rift first became public in 2020 when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their royal roles. The rift deepened with bombshell interviews, their Netflix docuseries and Harry's best-selling memoirSpare. Samir Hussein/WireImage Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Harry has publicly voiced grievances about how the couple was treated during their time as senior working royals, citing issues around press intrusion, family tensions and the toll on their mental health. While the road to reconciliation may be long, the quiet London summit suggests a shared interest in at least starting the conversation. Read the original article onPeople
