For five years there has been anger, upset and a deep family divide at the heart of the Royal Family. The rift between King Charles III and the Duke of Sussex has been painful for all involved and played out in public. A resolution has been hard to find. But there are signs tensions are easing and a new understanding between father and son could be within reach.

Prince Harry returns to the UK in just under two weeks' time. He was last here in April for a court hearing about security. Back then, his father was in Italy on a state visit, so the possibility of a meeting was off the table.

Things are different this time. Not significantly different, but if we follow the evidence there are signs of a slight shift in mood.

For starters, the King will be in the UK. He will be in Scotland at his Balmoral Estate. Harry could go to Scotland but we know the King is regularly travelling south for cancer treatment and some royal engagements, leaving open the chance of seeing his son in person.

The last time that happened was 6 February 2024, immediately after the King went public with his diagnosis. It was a flying visit – quite literally.

The Duke of Sussex landed at Heathrow and was driven straight to Clarence House. He saw his father for little more than half an hour before flying home to the US the following morning.

Then there is the approach of the team now representing Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in both the UK and the US.

In July, LA-based Meredith Maines, who heads up the communications team around Harry and Meghan, flew to London to visit a number of charities and media organisations, including BBC News, with her UK counterpart, Liam Maguire.

But it wasn't these meetings that were the eye-catching development. A photographer pictured them at a private members' club with Tobyn Andreae, the King's communication secretary. The images were published in the Mail on Sunday under the headline "The secret Harry peace summit".

Exactly how the photographer came to be in place........

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