A close friend of King Charles has heavily disputed claims that the monarch refused to meet Prince Harry during the Duke of Sussex’s recent flying visit to the UK.

Last week, Harry Harry arrived in the UK for several commitments relating to the Invictus Games, including a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark 10 years of the event. Despite being in the same city, the pair did not meet – leading to a series of claims about why exactly that would not have happened.

But now a royal insider has refuted claims that King Charles did not want to meet his son. In a knowing wink to the Queen’s famous response to the Sussex’s bombshell Oprah interview, they insisted: “Recollections may vary once again.”

Speaking to The Times, an unnamed close friend of Charles’ reportedly said: “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.”

According to Harry’s official spokesman, the Duke understood why his father was unable to fit a visit into his schedule. Speaking on Tuesday, the representative said: “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.”

The King also made a public appearance on Thursday, telling personnel he was glad to be “out of my cage” as he embarked on his first military engagement since announcing a comeback to public duty – and just hours after Prince Harry’s UK appearance. Charles, 75, met staff and families of the 3 Royal School of Military Engineering (3RSME), the training base for the Army’s Royal Engineers. He took on the role of Colonel-in-Chief in March last year which used to be held by Queen Elizabeth II.

The King received a red carpet treatment and a Quarter guard salute after stepping out of the State Bentley. Arriving at Gibraltar Barracks, in Minley, Wiltshire, he said: “Thank you so much, I do apologise by taking you by surprise, this opportunity appeared and allowed out of my cage and wanted to come and have a look.”