King Charles III and his youngest son, Prince Harry, are tipped to stage a public reunion next year, according to new betting odds. The prediction follows years of strained relations between the monarch and the Duke of Sussex.
High Probability of a Public Appearance
Betting site AceOdds has placed the likelihood of a public father-son reunion in 2026 at 1/3, or a 75% implied probability. This suggests bookmakers believe it is very probable the pair will be seen together at a public event or family engagement next year.
The relationship has been under immense strain since Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from royal duties in 2020. A series of televised interviews and the publication of Harry's memoir, Spare, further widened the apparent rift.
Behind-the-Scenes Reconciliation Efforts
Supporting the odds, former royal butler Grant Harrold has offered a revealing insight. Harrold, who served King Charles between 2007 and 2011, told AceOdds he is convinced private meetings are already taking place.
"I strongly believe that Harry is meeting with his father quite regularly," Harrold stated. "I believe that behind closed doors he is seeing his father, and there are much-needed discussions going on."
He suggested the King is making time for his son away from the public eye, allowing them to navigate their difficulties privately before considering any public display of unity. Harrold pointed to a meeting in the summer of 2025 as a potential turning point, describing it as an "olive branch" from Charles that Harry has now accepted.
The Challenge of a Public Occasion
However, Harrold cautioned that a public reunion is a separate matter. He noted that with Prince Harry not returning to royal duties, there are fewer natural opportunities for a joint public appearance.
"It is contingent on what public events there are next year," he explained. "There is no real reason for the family to get together in public for any celebratory reasons."
He proposed that any reunion would likely be subtle, perhaps at a private family gathering at Sandringham for Easter or at an event like Royal Ascot, rather than a formal, orchestrated statement. "If they do reunite, it will be Harry showing up at an event or family occasion and it will be a shock for everyone," Harrold concluded.
The odds currently reflect this nuanced outlook, with a 'Yes' to a public reunion rated at 75% probability, while a 'No' sits at a 33% chance.
