Inside Prince Harry’s 53-minute meeting with King Charles

Though Prince Harry’s 53-minute meeting with his father, King Charles, didn’t result in an official reconciliation, new details reveal sentimental moments shared between the father and son.

The “distinctly formal” summit, which took place on Sept. 10, left the Duke of Sussex feeling more like an “official visitor” to the UK, rather than a close family member, according to the Sun. Still, he presented his father with a framed photo of his young family, including wife Meghan Markle and their children, Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4.

According to the outlet, King Charles, 76, also presented Prince Harry with an early 41st birthday present — the father of two celebrated the milestone on Sept. 15.

Per the outlet, the father-son duo met up around 5:22 p.m. when Harry arrived via Land Rover at Clarence House.

After exchanging pleasantries with kisses on the cheek and enjoying a private tea time, Harry was said to have left the meeting at 6:14 p.m. for a reception for his Invictus Games.

The publication claimed that the “King’s door remains open for another private cup of tea next time Harry is back in London” — though royal sources told the outlet that Charles intends to uphold the Sandringham Agreement, which laid out the terms for Harry’s departure from royal family duties in January 2020.

That rules out a “half-in, half-out” hybrid role for Harry, who left the UK with the Duchess of Sussex for a life in Montecito, Calif., in 2020.

“The King is a forgiving man but has been absolutely clear in upholding his late mother’s decision that there cannot be ‘half-in, half-out’ members of the working royal family,” a royal source previously told the Daily Mail.

Sources insisted to the outlet that Prince Harry has no desire to return to his royal duties in any capacity and simply wants a relationship with his family.

“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,” a spokesperson for the prince told the Sun.

As for rumors the younger prince intended to “undermine” brother Prince William’s relationship with their father, Harry’s rep called the speculation “rubbish.”

“Categorically not,” they told the Sun. “Harry is not trying to drive a wedge between the Prince of Wales and the King.”

Reps for Charles and Harry did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.

Since their relocation to the wealthy Southern California enclave, the exiled couple has welcomed their two children — who haven’t seen King Charles since the Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, due to Harry’s concerns about their safety.

The 53-minute meeting was the first between the father and son in 19 months. A source told Page Six at the time that Harry shared videos of his children with the monarch, and a spokesman for the prince told us he “loved” being back in the UK for the reunion.

“He’s obviously loved being back in the UK, catching up with old friends, colleagues, and just generally being able to support the incredible work of the causes that mean so much to him,” the rep said.

During the visit, Harry also took time to visit his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s gravesite.

Following his chat with King Charles, Harry told reporters that his father — who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 — was doing “great.”

Earlier this month, Us Weekly reported that the reunion was sparked by “a handwritten letter” by the Duke of Sussex to his father, “expressing his desire to reconnect.” There were reportedly “hugs and tears,” during the meetup, and the “mood was genuine and positive,” the insider divulged.

“They shared a long hug when they first saw each other,” Us Weekly’s source claimed. “Harry started crying and it was very emotional for both of them. They really missed each other.”