The King has made it clear that the Duke of Sussex cannot have a “half-in, half-out” royal role, following reports that Harry would like to return to the UK more often, the Times understands.

The King’s youngest son visited the UK earlier this month for charity work and met his father for the first time in 19 months. The duke spent approximately 55 minutes with the King for a “private tea” at Clarence House in London.

While the meeting raised the prospect of a changed role for Harry, Palace sources have made clear that any suggestion he could come back in a more formal capacity were wide of the mark.

“The King has been absolutely clear in upholding his late mother’s decision that there can be no “half-in, half-out” public role for members of the family,” a royal source said.

• Prince Harry ‘has loved being back in UK’

An article in the Mail on Sunday suggested that “high-level talks” were under way to bring the King and Harry together “in a public show of unity”.

However there appears to be no plan for Harry to rejoin the royal family’s public appearances, nor any desire on the duke’s part to do so.

Prince Harry visited Ukraine on September 13 to promote Invictus Games Foundation

KYIV CITY MILITARY ADMINISTRATION/GETTY IMAGES

It is understood that Harry does not want a “half-in, half-out” arrangement and did not ask the King for any such deal at the latest meeting.

A spokesman for Harry said: “The duke has made it clear that the focus has to be on his dad.

“Beyond that, and on any other issues as it relates to his family, we won’t be commenting.”

Harry is said to be very happy with his life in California with his wife, Meghan.

• Prince Harry says King Charles was ‘great’ at reunion in London

He has also made it clear, however, that he would like to spend more time in the UK, despite losing a High Court appeal to have his police security reinstated.

Following the ruling in May, he told the BBC that he hoped to see more of the King, who is undergoing cancer treatment, saying that he “would love” to reconcile with his family.

Harry added: “I don’t know how much longer my father has.”

During his recent trip to Britain, Harry enjoyed a warm welcome from the public and a positive response to the announcement that he had donated more than £1 million to BBC Children in Need projects in Nottingham.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the One805LIVE! 2025 concert, a fundraising event in aid of first responders on September 20 in California

SCOTT DUDELSON/GETTY IMAGES

Harry then went on to Ukraine where he gave an interview to The Guardian in which he said “my conscience is clear” over the previous criticism he had levelled at the royal family.

“I don’t believe that I aired my dirty laundry in public,” he said. “It was a difficult message, but I did it in the best way possible.”

The last time the King and Harry were seen on a public engagement together was in April 2019 at the global premiere of Our Planet at the Natural History Museum in London.

Since then, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have quit their royal roles to pursue financial independence in the US.

Harry’s Invictus Games will return to the UK in 2027 when the para-athlete competition will be hosted in Birmingham.

There is some speculation that the King might attend the games, however, no senior member of the royal family joined Harry to mark the tenth anniversary service held at St Paul’s Cathedral last year.