Prince Harry ‘Encouraging’ Meghan Markle to Meet with Princess Kate Amid UK Visit

Prince Harry reportedly wants Meghan Markle to smooth things over with Princess Kate.

As Star previously reported, the Sussexes are planning to visit the U.K. from July 7 to July 11 for the first time in four years with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, according to USA Today.

A source now tells Star that the With Love, Meghan host, 44, wants to meet with the Princess of Wales, 44, on the trip.

“Harry’s been gently encouraging Meghan to make the first move because he genuinely believes Kate would be receptive if she’s open to sitting down and clearing the air,” the source says. “He still has a huge amount of love and respect for Kate, and from everything they’ve shared over the years he doesn’t think she’s someone who holds onto bitterness forever.”

However, the insider notes that the Spare author, 41, is “not kidding himself that it’s going to fix everything overnight, but he does think it could get the ball rolling in the right direction.”

“Meghan agrees it’s worth trying because she knows making peace with Kate publicly would go a long way towards repairing her battered reputation and showing she’s serious about turning over a new leaf,” the source explains.

The source adds that Harry and Meghan hope to keep their titles and that clearing the air with the Waleses is “crucial” for that.

Additionally, the insider predicts that when the first meeting does happen, it “will need to be kept very private,” as Kate wouldn’t like it “being used for PR.”

On Monday, June 29, USA Today reported that Harry and Meghan have accepted King Charles III‘s offer to stay in a royal residence for part of their visit to England.

Harry reunited with the sovereign in September, ending their 19-month estrangement, but tensions remain high between him and his brother Prince William.