Prince Harry has issued a statement rejecting reports about his recent private meeting with King Charles as 'categorically false'. The Duke of Sussex met his father for tea at Clarence House in February, their first face-to-face encounter in over 18 months.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry 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.'
The statement also addressed claims that gifts were exchanged, confirming that a framed photograph was handed over, but clarifying that the image did not contain the Duke and Duchess. The spokesperson added: 'While we would have preferred such details to remain private, for the sake of clarity we can confirm...'
Sources close to the Duke indicate he has long desired a relationship with his father. A source told HELLO!: 'He would like a relationship with his father. There's no doubt about that.' The meeting lasted 54 minutes, with Buckingham Palace confirming only that a private tea took place.
King Charles's biographer, Robert Hardman, described the reunion as encouraging, noting that the King would 'love to see Harry more, and, of course, his grandchildren'. However, he cautioned that any longer-term reconciliation would need to involve Prince William, a process moving at a 'very different pace'.
