Royal Family RECAP: Sussexes 'sabotaging own olive branch' after secret peace talks

A widely reported "peace summit" between representatives of the Duke of Sussex and King Charles has triggered a fresh wave of scrutiny, with one expert accusing Prince Harry of sabotaging his own reconciliation effort. Eric Schiffer, royal reputation strategist and chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, criticised the optics of the visit, which reportedly included a private meeting between aides of the Sussexes and the King last week.

He was highly critical of whoever leaked the details of the meeting, something sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have also expressed "frustration" over, having strongly denied that anyone from their side spoke to the press.

Mr Schiffer said: "If this is a peace deal, why does every shutter click crack like a gunshot at the Firm's credibility-turning a solemn summit into the potential for septic muck reputational carnage?" He said that if Harry had been the source of the leak - something insiders have insisted was the Sussexes were not responsible for - then he had effectively torpedoed the "olive branch". He said: "Crisis comms 101-don't torch your own olive branch."

Express.co.uk has approached The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for comment.

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