A quiet but significant meeting between top aides of Prince Harry and a senior royal advisor to King Charles may signal the beginning of a long-awaited reconciliation between the estranged father and son.

According to palace insiders, the recent gathering is being viewed as an encouraging “first step” in easing years of tension between Harry, 40, and Charles, 76 — whose communication has been nearly nonexistent for quite some time.

Behind Closed Doors: The Details of the Meeting

On July 9, Meredith Maines, Prince Harry’s chief of staff and head of communications, and Liam Maguire, the Sussexes’ UK spokesperson, were seen meeting with Tobyn Andreae, King Charles’ communications secretary. The low-key meeting, first reported by the Mail on Sunday, took place at the Royal Over-Seas League, a private club located just a short distance from Charles’ residence, Clarence House.

Andreae was reportedly seen carrying what appeared to be a gift bottle of wine, setting a warm and informal tone for the conversation.

“A Good First Step” Toward Rebuilding Trust

Sources familiar with the discussion told PEOPLE that the conversation covered plenty of ground. “It was a good first step,” one insider said. “It is always better to be talking.”

Maines was in the UK as part of her official role overseeing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s communications. Her schedule included meetings with UK-based team members, media figures, stakeholders, and key individuals involved in Harry’s charitable efforts. It was also the first time either she or Maguire had met with Andreae.