Prince Harry's spokesman has accused royal sources of causing "sabotage" over their "false claims" about the Duke of Sussex's reunion with King Charles.
It was originally reported in the media that the Duke of Sussex's 53-minute reunion with King Charles at Clarence House was warm but formal, with gifts exchanged and kisses on the cheek, but no future plans being made.
The meeting earlier this month was their first in 19 months and had been hailed as a potential turning point.
Insiders claimed to the Sun that the atmosphere was “distinctly formal”, with Harry, 41, reportedly joking he felt more like an “official visitor” than a relative.
Prince Harry accuses royal sources of ‘sabotage’ over ‘false claims’ about King Charles reunion
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However, Prince Harry's spokesman clarified the situation to GB News with a new statement.
He said: “Recent reporting of The Duke’s view of the tone of the meeting, is categorically false.
“The quotes attributed to him are pure invention fed, one can only assume, by sources intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son.
“Presumably, those same sources have also chosen to disclose that gifts were exchanged.
King Charles and Prince Harry have a strained relationship | GETTY“While we would have preferred such details to remain private, for the sake of clarity we can confirm that a framed photograph was handed over, however the image did not contain the Duke and Duchess.”
A source originally told the Sun that Harry described the encounter as “very official, like an official visit”.
They also alleged that the Duke of Sussex gave his father a framed photograph of himself with Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, which Harry has denied.
The Sun has stood by its reporting, with a spokesman saying: "In his statement, Prince Harry confirms the exchange of gifts, including a family photograph.
Prince Harry driving to see King Charles at Clarence House
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"The office of the Duke of Sussex was given full right of reply in advance of publication and opted not to give a response to The Sun's carefully sourced account. We have today updated the online article to include his new statement."
The meeting took place as part of a busy day of engagements for the King, who had flown down from Balmoral.
Harry arrived at 5.21pm in a Land Rover and left at 6.14pm for an Invictus Games reception, making it the shortest audience of the King’s day.
Despite speculation, royal and Sussex sources have dismissed claims that Harry could return to public duties or that “high-level talks” are underway for joint appearances.
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Prince William, King Charles and Prince Harry attending Invictus Games in 2014 | PAPalace aides also rejected suggestions that the meeting was intended to disrupt Charles’s relationship with Prince William.
Harry’s spokesman said: “The trip back was about focusing on his patronages and supporting his good causes while also having time to catch up with family and friends.”
A Palace aide stressed the King’s door remains open for private visits. “Categorically not. Harry is not trying to drive a wedge between the Prince of Wales and the King,” the spokesman added.
A source close to William described reports of tension with his father as “rubbish”.