In what may be the clearest sign yet that Prince Harry and King Charles are exploring a path back to peace, senior aides from both camps quietly met in London last week to begin what insiders are calling an “early conversation” toward mending strained ties.

Photographs published by the Mail on Sunday show Meredith Maines, the Duke of Sussex’s chief of staff and head of communications, arriving at the Royal Over-Seas League near Clarence House on July 9. She was joined by Liam Maguire, who handles U.K. press for Harry and Meghan, and Tobyn Andreae, King Charles’ communications secretary.

According to sources cited by the outlet, the meeting had no formal agenda but marked the first direct dialogue between representatives of father and son in years.

“There were things both sides wanted to talk about,” one source said. “It wasn’t a negotiation, but it was a chance to open a channel of communication — which hasn’t existed in a long time.”

They added that this meeting was just “a first step” and acknowledged that any real healing would take time: “There’s still a long road ahead. But this was the right moment. Everyone wants to move on.”