Prince Harry has publicly rebuffed claims that his reunion with King Charles III earlier this month was coolly formal, describing such portrayals as “categorically false.”
In a strongly worded statement seen by People, the Duke of Sussex’s spokesperson declared, “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.”
The denial followed Prince Harry’s meeting with his father at Clarence House in London on 10 September, in their first face-to-face meeting since February 2024.
A report in the Sun suggested the reunion had been more formal than expected, with the duke reportedly left feeling like he was being treated as an official visitor, rather than family.
His office dismissed the suggestion outright, stressing that no such comment had been made.
The 55-minute conversation was the pair’s first private meeting since February.
Observers have characterised it as tentative but significant progress towards repairing a fractured relationship.
Former royal press secretary Ailsa Anderson described the moment to People as “a massive step in the right direction.”
Harry himself has previously spoken sparingly about the encounter.
When asked afterwards how the King was, he replied simply: “Yes, he’s great, thank you.”
In a later interview, reflecting on the coming year, he said pointedly: “The focus really has to be on my dad.”
The palace has not commented publicly on the details of the meeting, which unfolded against a backdrop of years of tension and scrutiny over Harry and Meghan’s decision to step away from royal duties.