Meghan Markle Could Hold The Key To Prince Harry’s Royal Family Reconciliation, But One Crucial Step May Be Needed First

The possibility of Prince Harry repairing his relationship with Prince William remains uncertain, but one royal commentator believes the path towards reconciliation could begin with the women closest to the two brothers. While Princess Catherine may be in a position to help ease tensions, the responsibility for taking the first step, according to Express opinion writer Alicia Liberty, should fall on Meghan Markle.

The long-running rift between the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex has been marked by explosive interviews, deeply personal accusations and revelations that have played out in public. Yet, after watching the Royal Family come together for this week’s state visit, Liberty argues that rebuilding those fractured relationships may require a different approach from the Sussexes.

Harry, 42, has recently spoken about his desire to repair his family relationships, telling GQ magazine that reconciliation matters most to him. However, Liberty questions whether public statements about peace can achieve much without meaningful efforts behind closed doors.

In her view, forgiveness cannot be taken for granted, particularly after years of conflict. Genuine reconciliation would require more than expressing a wish to put the past behind them.

Princess Catherine Has Already Shown Her Strength

Throughout years of royal upheaval, Princess Catherine has maintained a composed public presence while continuing to fulfil her responsibilities and navigate significant personal challenges.

Before the fallout between the Sussexes and the wider Royal Family, Catherine shared a warm, playful relationship with Harry. Their estrangement has therefore been particularly painful to witness.

Liberty believes the Princess of Wales could play an important role in any future reconciliation. However, she questions why Catherine should be expected to take responsibility for repairing a family relationship that has been damaged over several years.

At 44, Catherine has established her position within the monarchy through dedication, loyalty and years of public service. Rather than responding to every controversy, she has largely allowed her work to speak for itself.

According to Liberty, the princess has nothing to prove and should not be expected to pursue those who have publicly criticised the institution she represents. If the brothers are ever to rebuild their bond, Catherine’s potential involvement should not become an obligation placed upon her.

Why Liberty Believes Meghan Should Reach Out First

Liberty argues that Meghan may need to reconsider her approach if she genuinely hopes to help Harry reconnect with his older brother.

Over the years, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their experiences and grievances publicly, including during their widely discussed interview with Oprah Winfrey and through Harry’s memoir, Spare.

The couple are entitled to tell their own story, but Liberty believes they must also recognise that public disclosures can have lasting consequences for the people involved. Those on the receiving end cannot simply be expected to forget what has been said.

Her proposed first step is for Meghan, 44, to contact Catherine privately. Liberty suggests that the Duchess should acknowledge the hurt caused by the public fallout and be willing to apologise for her own part in the dispute.

Such a gesture would not require Meghan to accept responsibility for everything that has gone wrong between the families. Instead, it would demonstrate a willingness to recognise the other side’s feelings and begin moving beyond past grievances.

Liberty’s central argument is that reconciliation cannot depend entirely on other people making the first move. If Meghan and Harry want to restore damaged relationships, they may need to show that they are prepared to make compromises of their own.

That would mean leaving old arguments behind rather than continuing to revisit them in public.

A Royal Reunion Remains A Long Way Off

This week’s state visit offered a striking reminder of the formal royal life Harry and Meghan left behind.

As the Royal Family gathered at Windsor Castle to welcome the Sultan of Oman, the occasion featured the ceremony and pageantry associated with major royal engagements. The Sussexes were absent from the gathering, highlighting their distance from the institution they once represented.

Liberty says she finds it sad that Harry is no longer part of such occasions. Nevertheless, she acknowledges that restoring enough trust for him to return to official royal duties would be an enormous challenge.

The timing of Harry’s latest GQ interview also attracted attention. It appeared on the same day that his family welcomed the Sultan of Oman, bringing renewed attention to the divisions between the brothers just as the Royal Family was taking part in a major public event.

Whether intentional or not, the timing placed Harry’s comments about reconciliation back in the headlines during an important moment for William and Catherine.

Liberty argues that the Sussexes are unlikely to overshadow the Prince and Princess of Wales, but believes they should avoid repeatedly drawing public attention back to the family dispute. In her view, the couple need to demonstrate progress rather than continually explain the circumstances that led to the breakdown.

Actions May Matter More Than Another Interview

For Liberty, the central contradiction is difficult to ignore: Harry has spoken passionately about wanting his family back, yet the public has heard considerably more about his desire for reconciliation than it has seen evidence of progress towards it.

The Sussexes have spent years establishing a life outside the monarchy. Rebuilding their relationships with the Royal Family would therefore require a willingness to approach the past differently and to recognise that trust cannot be restored through public declarations alone.

Any meaningful improvement would likely depend on private conversations, mutual understanding and a readiness to move beyond old disagreements. Even then, reconciliation would not be guaranteed, and the other parties would need to decide whether they were willing to participate.

Ultimately, Liberty believes Harry and Meghan face a choice about how they want to approach the next stage of their relationship with the Royal Family. Continuing to defend their version of past events may keep the dispute alive, while a more private and conciliatory approach could offer a different possibility.

For now, there is no certainty that the brothers will reconcile or that Catherine and Meghan will take on the roles Liberty envisages for them. But her argument is clear: if Harry truly wants to rebuild his family relationships, the next step must involve more than talking about peace. It must begin with actions that show he is prepared to work towards it.