Prince Harry has described claims that he was surprised his recent reunion with the King was ‘distinctly formal’ as ‘categorically false’.
Reports in The Sun newspaper claimed he even joked that he was made to feel more like an official visitor rather than a family member in his meeting with his father earlier this month.
But a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex hit back yesterday, saying: “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.”
Harry is reported to have handed his father a framed picture of his children, Archie and Lilibet.
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 updated the online article to include his new statement.”
It is a particularly pointed and emotionally-charged response from Harry and his team, suggesting that a story about his meeting with the King shows sources ‘are intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son’, according to Sky News’ royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills.
Harry, since leaving the royals, has been a lot more outspoken about how he feels he’s been treated by the Press and sources inside the palace.
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