Prince Harry is pushing back against a new round of royal rumors. The Duke of Sussex denied reports suggesting that his reunion with King Charles earlier this month felt stiff or overly formal.

On September 10, Harry met with his father at Clarence House in London for tea. It was the first time they had seen each other since February 2024, following more than a year of public tension and limited contact. The meeting lasted just under an hour and was widely viewed as a chance for father and son to begin repairing their strained relationship.

Soon after, The Sun published a story claiming Harry left the meeting feeling more like “an official visitor” than a family member. That account quickly gained attention across British media.

Harry’s Team Calls Reports “Pure Invention”

On September 27, Harry’s spokesperson released a rare statement to PEOPLE, calling the report “categorically false.” The spokesperson criticized the alleged quotes attributed to Harry, describing them as “pure invention fed…by sources intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son.”

The statement also confirmed that Harry gave his father a gift, but clarified the details. He presented a framed photograph of Charles’ grandchildren, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. TheKing has not seen them in person in more than three years. “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,” the spokesperson said.

Tabloid Pushback and What Comes Next

The Sun responded by saying its story was “carefully sourced” and that Harry’s office had been offered a chance to comment before publication. The outlet later updated its article to include Harry’s denial.

Observers note that this exchange underscores how fragile the father-son dynamic remains. Royal biographer Robert Hardman recently told PEOPLE, “If we hear nothing, there will be another meeting. If we hear something, it will be a very long time before there is one.”

Still, some view the reunion as a sign of progress. Former royal press secretary Ailsa Anderson called it “a massive step in the right direction,” describing it as the beginning of a slow rebuild of trust.

For Harry, the message seems clear: despite reports, the focus is on moving forward. As he told The Guardian earlier this month, “the focus really has to be on my dad.“