A Quiet Victory for King Charles

Buckingham Palace, London.

King Charles has finally been reunited with his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, four years after first meeting them. I am genuinely delighted for the King, who by all accounts is a devoted and affectionate grandfather to the Wales children, and I'm equally pleased for the Sussex children, whom the King has longed to know, and who deserve the opportunity to build a relationship with their grandfather.

The reunion raises interesting questions about the long-running debate surrounding security. For years, it has been presented as the main obstacle to bringing the children to the UK. Yet Meghan's arrival with Archie and Lilibet appears to have gone entirely unnoticed, and news of the meeting only emerged after it had taken place, showing that a family reunion could, in fact, remain private.

In my view, the King handled the situation brilliantly. The meeting reportedly took place at Highgrove House rather than an official royal residence, allowing it to remain exactly what it should have been, a private family occasion. No photos were released, no details were shared beyond confirmation that the meeting had taken place, and there was no attempt to turn a deeply personal moment into a public spectacle. Afterward, the King and Queen simply carried on with the day's activities.

Above all, this is a happy outcome for our King, and especially for the children, Archie and Lilibet. Whatever one thinks of the parents, all children deserve the opportunity to know and love their grandfather, and in this unique case, also their King. That, however, should not be confused with a broader reconciliation or a return to the royal fold. This reunion was about a grandfather spending time with his grandchildren, and that is exactly how it should remain.