MEGHAN and Harry have made an audacious bid for a UK meeting with the Queen in the coming weeks.
It comes after “olive branch” calls home following the Oprah chat row.
Harry and Meghan plan to introduce the Queen to her namesake great-granddaughter Lilibet — if she agrees to meet them in the coming weeks.
The Sussexes have offered to fly in to see the monarch — for the Duchess’s first return trip to the UK since March 2020’s Megxit.
And Harry has made “olive branch” calls to his family as he and Meghan plan a christening for four-month-old Lilibet, possibly at Windsor Castle.
But senior staff are said to be stunned by the request for a meeting, months after the couple blasted the Royal Family in a chat with TV pal Oprah Winfrey.
The monarchy is also braced for the release of Harry’s memoir next year, with The Celeb Report on Sunday recently telling how The Queen’s aides were getting “lawyered up” against any new claims.
A source said: “Harry and Meghan have made this offer but a lot of people are shocked by the sheer nerve of it. They may genuinely want to see the Queen but it’s breathtaking given what they’ve put her through this year.
“Her Majesty’s staff have not responded so far. In fact there has also been discussion about Christmas — and whether an invitation should be sent to Harry and Meghan, after they spurned one last year.
“The Queen is still very fond of Harry, and would love to see Lilibet and her brother Archie.
“But courtiers are surprised by the move, especially from Meghan, after what has happened.”
The California-based Sussexes welcomed Lilibet in June — but sparked controversy over whether they consulted the Queen about using her nickname for the tot.
Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest updates
In April, Harry returned to the UK alone for grandad Prince Philip’s funeral.
Biographer Omid Scobie says Harry met The Queen privately twice during his stay.
He last appeared in the UK in July to unveil a statue to mum Diana. Harry’s conciliatory calls are thought to include conversations with dad Charles and brother William.
Insiders say he is not likely to return until after September 15 — his 37th birthday.
And the Queen plans to stay at Balmoral until October.
QUEEN ‘EXASPERATED’ WITH ATTACKS
Yesterday she greeted Boris and Carrie Johnson there — on their first visit to her since they wed — plus son Wilfred.
A source said: “They had some tough subjects to cover but it was all very jovial.”
We revealed two weeks ago how the Queen was “exasperated” with attacks by the Sussexes and had ordered staff to be ready to refute any claims in Harry’s book.
Our source added: “The family are concerned he will go into his feelings about Diana’s death, her treatment by the royals and how he initially felt about his father’s relationship with Camilla.
“That’s why it’s all the more surprising that this offer for a meeting has been made now.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment. Harry and Meghan’s representatives did not respond.
