Prince Harry Denies Formal Meeting Claims with King Charles Amidst Reconciliation Hopes
Prince Harry has refuted reports suggesting he found his recent meeting with King Charles overly formal, dismissing the claims as "pure fabrications." This comes after reports in the tabloid The Sun claimed Harry joked about feeling like an "official guest" rather than family during the meeting, which occurred on September 10th at Clarence House. The encounter marked their first conversation in over 18 months.
Harry's Spokesperson Addresses the Allegations
A spokesperson for Prince Harry issued a statement on Saturday, calling the reports "pertinently untrue." The statement condemned the alleged quotes as inventions "fueled by sources keen to sabotage any reconciliation between father and son." The spokesperson also acknowledged the exchange of gifts during the meeting, specifically mentioning a framed photo, but emphasized that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not insist on its inclusion. The British media reported that Harry presented his father with a framed picture of his children, Archie and Lilibet.
Details Emerge Regarding the Meeting's Content
Further details about the meeting have surfaced, with a royal source telling The Times that King Charles "made himself abundantly clear in his support of his late mother’s decision that there can be no ‘half-in, half-out’ public role for members of the family." In response, Harry's spokesperson stated, "The Duke has made it clear that his focus should be on his father. We will not be commenting further on other matters that concern his family." Reports suggest Harry is content with his life in California with Meghan and their children, and doesn’t desire a "halfway" arrangement with the royal family.
Potential for Future Public Appearances
Despite the tensions, The Mail on Sunday reports that a "thawing" of the relationship was discussed, potentially leading to a "joint appearance at a public event." The British newspaper suggests that King Charles may attend the Invictus Games in Birmingham in 2027, a sporting event founded by Prince Harry for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.
Background of a Strained Relationship
The relationship between Harry and the royal family has been strained since he and Meghan stepped down as "working royals" in 2020 and moved to the United States. This decision meant losing royal titles to represent the monarch and foregoing public funding, though they retained their titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Key events contributing to the tension include an interview with Oprah Winfrey, a Netflix documentary series, and Prince Harry's memoir, Spare, which contained damaging allegations against the royal family.
Past Attempts at Reconciliation
Prior to the Clarence House meeting, Harry and his father last saw each other in February 2024, when Harry traveled to London following Charles's cancer diagnosis. Although Harry made several visits to the UK in the past 18 months for legal matters and charitable endeavors, he did not meet with his father during those trips. In May, Harry expressed his desire for reconciliation in an interview with the BBC, stating, "I would like reconciliation with my family." He also expressed concerns about the time he has left with his father.
