Real story behind Prince Harry and Charles peace talks from set-up signs to 'power move'

King Charles' communications chief took control at a secret peace summit held with Prince Harry's team, according to a body language expert.

Senior aides for both camps met at a London private members' club to discuss the estranged father and son, with sources suggesting the meeting was a "significant" step toward reconciliation.

Two of Prince Harry's advisors - chief of staff in Montecito, Meredith Maines, and Liam Maguire, who runs the Sussexes' UK PR operation - were spotted seated around a tablewith the King's communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae.

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Sources close to the Palace stressed there was "no formal agenda, just casual drinks" at the Royal Over-Seas League. But after years of tension, speculation is rife about what the trio discussed. Sources told the Mirror that navigating an end to the conflict was touched on, along with matters like not trying to steal the spotlight with schedule clashes.

And body language expert Judi James says that their appearance outside the swanky club - in a visible spot in crowded central London - had a rather comedic effect. "There is a hilarious body language moment during these 'secret' peace talks where the trio affect the look of a small group of Wildebeests startled by a stalking lion," she told the Mirror.

Wearing a sleeveless cream jacket and high heels, Ms Maines arrived at the club in a taxi with Mr Maguire at 3.50pm on Wednesday. Several minutes later, Mr Andreae arrived alone, appearing to be carrying a gift from Berry Bros & Rudd - the wine and spirits merchant which has been supplying the Royal Family since 1760.

They were spotted chatting over drinks in the sunshine outside on the club's terrace, overlooking Green Park. In photographs obtained by the Mail on Sunday, Mr Andreae was seen dressed in a sand suit, pulling a disgruntled expression as he looked towards the camera. "Andreae wears the frown of apparent annoyance as he seems to have spotted the camera, with his right hand gripping the arm of his chair to hint at irritation," the expert said.

Judi suggests the three wanted to be seen. "In another picture, presumably before the camera had been 'spotted', there is no sign of a furtive huddle and interestingly no sign of drinks on the table or cigarettes, which is often the urge that prompts celebrities to get 'smoked out' of nightclubs and bars and into the waiting lenses of the paparazzi."

Analysing the images further, Judi says the King's communication secretary took the lead during the summit. "In this second pose it's Andreae's body language that suggests a sense of relaxed higher status, sitting slumped back in his seat with his legs splayed and one hand on the table, seeming to be speaking while the others listen," she commented.

Meanwhile the two aides from Prince Harry's party matched their body language with more passive poses, according to the expert. She says Maguire had a less active role, watching Andreae, while Maines' hands folded on her lap, combined with sitting hunched forward, formed a "lower status pose."

It is unclear which side initiated the summit. The British monarchy has spent years dealing with the fallout of Harry's decision to marry former actress Meghan Markle after the two hit out at the family repeatedly and stepped down as senior royals.

In May, Harry gave a bombshell interview to the BBC in which he said he "would love a reconciliation" with the Royal Family but that the King "won't speak to me because of this security stuff." The Duke was referring to the removal of his automatic police security detail in Britain, which he called an "old-fashioned establishment stitch-up" and suggested his father could have helped resolve the situation.

In the interview, the Duke even said: "I would like to get my father and brother back." Harry's memoir, Spare, was also said to be the final straw for his brother William, as it made public claims such as a physical fight the pair are said to have had over Harry's relationship with Meghan.

Insiders now say the "rapprochement process" could heal years of broken relations within the royal family, but only if Harry stops conducting "endless rounds of broadcast interviews as his only way of communication".

A royal source told the Mirror: "The King has consistently shown he loves both his sons and as he has done in the past is prepared to meet Harry when their diaries allow such an occasion.

"It's not unusual for aides from different households to meet, especially when there is a new influx of staff starting their roles, but of course this is a significant moment. Senior members of the family have in the past said to Harry that he must both stop his attacks on the family as well as giving endless rounds of broadcast interviews as his only way of communication.

"If there is a period of calm and reflection on the part of the Duke of Sussex, then there may be a way forward for him to begin along the road of repairing his relationship with his father. As for his relationship with his brother, that is a different matter entirely and one which he will find much harder to repair."