DUTY FIRST

Harry & dad both in London but don't meet

- MATTHEW YOUNG

PRINCE Harry yesterday came closer to his father the King than he has in months, but the reunion royal fans have been hoping for never materialised.

The Duke was briefly in London to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games at St Paul's Cathedral, as Charles hosted a Buckingham Palace garden party just two miles away. But the King was said to be too busy to see his son, confirming a statement earlier this week that revealed the pair would not meet because the monarch had a busy programme of official duties.

The Duke, 39, did not meet up with 41-year-old brother Prince William, either.

Harry last saw the King in February when he dashed from the US after Charles's cancer diagnosis. He arrived in the UK on Tuesday and is flying to Nigeria today to meet up with wife Meghan, 42, for a tour linked to the Invictus Games for injured and sick military personnel.

As Harry prepared to fly in this week, his spokesman said: "In response to the many inquiries on whether or not the Duke will meet with his father while in the UK, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty's full programme.