King Charles III is weighing whether to extend a Christmas invitation to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a move that would mark the most significant potential thaw in royal relations since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties in 2020, according to people familiar with palace discussions.
The deliberations come as the 77-year-old monarch recently confirmed that his cancer treatment will be reduced in the new year, a medical milestone that has prompted renewed reflection on family ties, legacy and time. While no invitation has been issued, sources say the possibility has not been ruled out ahead of the traditional royal gathering at Sandringham.
"An invitation to Prince Harry has not been completely ruled out if the king truly wants to spend time with his immediate family," a senior royal source said. "There has always been a sense that the emotional door was never fully closed."
The internal debate reflects a shift in emphasis following a year dominated by medical care and heightened scrutiny of the monarchy. According to people close to the King, his cancer diagnosis has recalibrated long-standing instincts toward caution and protocol, replacing them with a more personal calculus rooted in age and uncertainty.
"After such a turbulent year, particularly given the King's health and the continuing repercussions from dealing with Prince Andrew, it is understandable that Charles would want this Christmas to carry deeper meaning," the source added. "And despite his positive cancer updates, he knows if things take a turn for the worse, it could be his last Christmas."
Another person familiar with the discussions said the King is increasingly being guided "more by his own mortality than by royal protocol." That reassessment includes the possibility of seeing Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, whom he has met only briefly.
Prince Harry, 41, has publicly expressed a desire for reconciliation. In a May interview with the BBC, he said he "would love reconciliation" with his family, adding, "I don't know how much longer my father has." Palace officials say those remarks were noted but did not materially alter the underlying tensions.
The unresolved rift between Prince Harry and Prince William, 43, remains a central obstacle. One palace source said the relationship "has not been resolved," while aides have raised concerns that the Sussexes' presence could overshadow private family time and disrupt efforts to maintain a low-key holiday.
Amid the family uncertainty, King Charles has continued to speak publicly about his health in service of broader awareness. In a recorded message broadcast on Dec. 12 for the Stand Up To Cancer campaign, he said, "Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives." He added, "I know, too, what a difference it has made in my own case, enabling me to continue leading a full and active life even while undergoing treatment."
The King noted that millions of Britons remain overdue for cancer screenings, calling them "at least 9 million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed." Citing bowel cancer data, he said that when caught early, "around nine in 10 people survive for at least five years," compared with "just one in 10" when diagnosed late.
Since revealing his diagnosis, Charles has steadily resumed public duties, including visits to cancer centres. During one such visit, he empathised with a patient undergoing chemotherapy, remarking, "It's always a bit of a shock, isn't it, when they tell you."
