THE reunion of Prince Harry and King Charles saw them swap presents and kisses on the cheek — but there were no plans made for the future, The Sun can reveal.
After the 53-minute summit at Clarence House, wild rumours circulated that the pair had discussed Harry resuming some royal duties on a “half-in, half-out” basis.
However, we can now reveal, the pair’s sit down earlier this month was “distinctly formal” and there is still no prospect of Harry returning to the family fold.
The prince was surprised by the formalities of his recent reunion with the King — and even joked he felt more like an “official visitor” than a family member, we can reveal.
He handed his father a framed photograph of himself with wife Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet to mark their reunion.
His Majesty has not seen his grandchildren since the Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 and Harry claims it is not safe for them to fly back to the UK.
In a touching return gesture the King, 76, gave his youngest son a birthday present, as he was to turn 41 just six days later.
But the duke was understood to have described the meeting with his father as “very official, like an official visit”.
Insiders said the awkward exchange was carried out in similar style to that of dignitaries and visitors at royal residences.
The 53 minute chat at Clarence House in London, their first meeting in 19 months, had been hailed as a major thawing in relations.
But The Sun understands there are no moves for father and son to be seen together in public, or for Harry to return to embark on a “half-in, half-out” hybrid royal role.
Yet the King’s door remains open for another private cup of tea next time Harry is back in London.
Harry was whisked into Clarence House in the back of a Land Rover to see his father while on an “faux royal” tour earlier this month.
The Sun can reveal they greeted each other warmly with kisses on the cheek, before swapping gifts and having tea privately.
Harry’s visit was sandwiched between two other audiences for the King.
He arrived at 5.21pm and left at 6.14pm for an Invictus Games reception.
Charles’s face-to-face with Harry was the King’s shortest audience of the day, after flying down earlier from Balmoral for engagements.
Claims Harry is pursuing a “half-in half-out” royal role and would be joining the King on official engagements have been denied on both sides of the Atlantic.
Royal sources say Charles is committed to upholding the Sandringham Agreement, made in January 2020, which rejected Harry’s bid for a hybrid position.
The late Queen stripped Harry of his royal roles after turning down his request to live abroad and fly back to be a working royal.
Sources close to Harry insist the prince is happy in Montecito, California, only wants to return to reconcile with his family and does not want to return to royal duties.
A spokesman for Harry 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.”
But a Palace aide said the door remains open for the Duke of Sussex to return to visit the King.
Claims the meeting was part of concerted efforts to undermine Prince William’s relationship with his father have also been denied.
Harry’s spokesman said: “Categorically not. Harry is not trying to drive a wedge between the Prince of Wales and the King.”
A source close to William has branded reports that he and the King are at odds as “rubbish”.
‘NO WEDGE’
Charles and Wills spent this week together at the King’s Scottish estate at Balmoral and were together at US President Donald Trump’s State visit earlier this month.
There have also been claims of “high-level talks” between Palace officials and Montecito for the King and Harry to be seen together at a public engagement.
Again, sources on both sides have denied this.
Claims circulated that Harry’s visit was an attempt by him to show the King and William he can help carry the weight of public engagements have also been disputed.
The rumours were seen as a deliberate swipe at the Prince and Princess of Wales, who have been criticised in the past for a perceived lack of public engagements.
Sussex sources insist Harry just wants reconciliation with his family.
He and his brother have not spoken since the late Queen’s funeral.
