'Reach out to Kate,' Harry urges Meghan

Prince Harry is said to be encouraging his wife to extend an olive branch to the under-fire Princess of Wales ahead of their expected UK return an

- Nathan Kay & Mitya Underwood

The Princess of Wales' Mother's Day photo turned what was supposed to be a sweet family memory into one of the most talked about royal scandals in years.

As Kate, 42, was forced to break her silence and admit she was responsible for "editing" the picture of herself with Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, a source told new that Prince Harry was encouraging Meghan Markle, 42, to "reach out" to his under-fire sister-in-law.

The source said Harry, 39, thought it could be the "perfect time" to step in and support Kate, and that if the olive branch was accepted, it could help the couple return to the inner circle of the royal family.

"Harry is keen for Meghan to reach out to Kate and lend her support," the source claimed. "Harry wants his family to return to the UK and he knows that the only way that will happen is if Meghan can repair her fractured relationship with Kate."

The photograph-which was forensically examined following a "kill notice" issued by photo agencies triggered a scandal that rocked the palace at an already difficult time. All eyes are pointed firmly at the family, with Kate still recovering from the abdominal surgery she had in January, and King Charles undergoing treatment for cancer.