Prince Harry has hit back at a report suggesting he was surprised by the tone of the meeting with King Charles at Clarence House, which was said to be ‘distinctly formal’

Prince Harry has blasted a report claiming he was surprised about a “distinctly formal” meeting with King Charles as “categorically false”.

The Duke of Sussex handed his father a framed photograph during the 55-minute meeting at Clarence House earlier this month. Harry was making a four-day visit to the UK and saw Charles for the first time since February 2024.

Harry has had a strained relationship with other members of the Royal Family since moving to the United States , but has hit out at a report from The Sun which suggested he was surprised about the tone of his meeting with the King.

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Harry’s meeting with the King was said to be “distinctly formal”(Image: Getty Images)

It was reported the meeting was “distinctly formal” and Harry, 41, was left so surprised by this that he joked he felt more like “an official visitor” to the royal residence.

But a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex today 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.

“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.”

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Prince Harry had a meeting with the King on a recent visit to the UK(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

In a statement, a Sun spokesperson noted that Harry “confirms the exchange of gifts, including a family photograph”. They said the paper’s story was a “carefully-sourced account of the meeting,” adding: “We have today updated the online article to include his new statement.”

Harry and Charles were said to kiss each other on the cheek as well as exchange gifts during the meeting at Clarence House. The Duke gave his dad the framed photograph, while His Majesty handed Harry a birthday present – as he was to turn 41 just six days later.

Charles, 76, had not seen Archie and Lilibet since the Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 and Harry had claimed it is not safe for them to fly back to the UK. Yet, in the recent interview with The Guardian, Harry said: “The focus really has to be on my dad… I have always loved the UK and I always will love the UK.”

Meanwhile, there doesn’t appear to be any prospect of Harry returning to royal duties, despite initial chatter there was a chance he’d undertake a hybrid “half-in, half-out” role with The Firm.