A source close to Buckingham Palace has defended King Charles over claims that he refused to meet his estranged son Prince Harry while he was over in London for Invictus Games events.

Earlier this week a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said that the King's schedule was too busy to allow for time to meet, explaining: "In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty's full programme. The Duke of course is understanding of his father's diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon."

An insider hit back in defence of His Majesty in a five-word verdict, even making a cheeky reference to the Oprah Winfrey interview as they insisted: "Recollections may vary once again."

They told The Times: "While it is true that the King is understandably wary about meeting with Harry, given the publicity circus that seems to surround all such visits, he did of course agree to see his son at the most vulnerable moment of his illness [back in February] and at very short notice.

"While he was hardly going to roll out the red carpet the moment this Invictus trip was announced, with doctors advising him to focus on his treatment and recovery, the idea that he refused to find space in his diary … well, let’s say recollections may vary once again."

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