King Charles III’s palace aides follow a strict risk management protocol whenever Prince Harry pays his father a visit, according to royal insider Kinsey Schofield.
“The King’s private secretaries are also known to remain on standby, ready to step in if a conversation becomes uncomfortable or a difficult request is made, ending the meeting by reminding the King that his next engagement requires additional travel time and that he needs to leave,” Schofield told Page Six.
“During meetings, a housemaid or butler serving tea may intentionally linger rather than immediately leave the room,” she explained. “It is the King and his courtiers who have carefully strategized how to engage with Prince Harry, often ensuring there are subtle witnesses in the room.”
This protocol has allegedly been evolving for years and dates back to before the late Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022.
“Palace aides or trusted friends were often present during meetings and on phone calls, both as witnesses and to provide support if needed,” she claimed of the late monarch’s protocol.
Schofield explained that royal staffers handle Harry’s visits from a “risk management” perspective.
“Buckingham Palace now approaches every interaction with Prince Harry through the lens of protecting the institution rather than preserving the relationship,” she claimed. “That might sound sad to some, but from the Palace’s perspective, the pattern of the last several years has left them believing that many of Harry’s decisions have ultimately served his own interests rather than the family’s.
“Whether that’s fair or not, it’s the reality informing how they now manage these relationships.”
Schofield also reacted to reports that Queen Camilla wanted to be in the room with her husband during his upcoming meeting with Harry.
“My understanding is that Queen Camilla has little appetite for engaging with Harry and Meghan. She will support the King whenever he asks, but she sees no value in revisiting old grievances,” Schofield said.
We’re told there is allegedly a belief “within royal circles” that interactions with Harry and Markle have often been followed by “public disclosures or competing narratives,” which has made trust “incredibly difficult to rebuild.”
“Past experience has taught the Palace to approach any proposed meeting with caution,” Schofield said.
The King also allegedly knows how to avoid certain conversations with his son.
“Charles has demonstrated that he’s willing to keep his distance when conversations become centered on money or contentious family issues,” Schofield said. “The idea that he needs Queen Camilla to shield him from his youngest son simply doesn’t fit with the decisions he’s made over the past several years.”
Buckingham Palace did not respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Charles, 77, and Harry, 41, are expected to reunite in the UK next month amid efforts to bury the hatchet after years of estrangement. Page Six confirmed that Harry will be bringing his two kids — Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet — to meet with their grandfather.
While Markle is expected to join Harry across the pond, it is unclear if she will be present for the family meeting with the King.
Reports surfaced that the Sussexes could be scrapping the trip due to security concerns. (Harry and Markle notably lost security privileges in the UK after they resigned from their royal duties in 2020).
However, a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex told Page Six on Monday that the biggest “issue” with their travels is “whether appropriate security will be provided throughout the visit.”
“Prince Harry’s programme in the United Kingdom includes both public and private engagements across the country,” the statement read. “Safe accommodation is only one element of an effective protective security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.”
The rep noted that Harry is exploring “every available option” to proceed safely with his wife and kids to the UK.
This will be the “Suits” alum’s first time back in the UK since she attended the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022.
Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, have not visited the UK since June 2022 for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
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