Prince Harry landed in the UK just before King Charles III jetted off to Italy for a historic four-day state visit – but may not have met up.

It is unclear whether the father and son, whose relationship has been strained in recent years following Megxit, had a chance to meet during the short period between their flights.

The Duke of Sussex has returned to London to appeal a High Court ruling regarding his entitlement to armed bodyguards funded by taxpayers.

Harry has taken legal action against the Home Office concerning a decision made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) in February 2020 regarding the extent of protection he should be granted while in the country.

The High Court previously heard that his ‘status’ had changed as a result of no longer being a ‘full-time working member of the Royal Family’.

But Harry has argued his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet cannot ‘feel at home’ or ‘safe’ in the UK unless his police protection is fully restored. 

His legal fight comes as the Charity Commission announced it had launched an investigation into Sentebale, the charity he founded, amid a bitter boardroom rift between Harry and chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka.

She has accused Prince Harry of ‘harassment and bullying’ – a claim that is denied.

Prince Harry reportedly flew into the UK just hours before King Charles jetted off to Italy for a historic four-day state visit

King Charles and Queen Camilla have tonight arrived in the Italian capital, Rome

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arriving at Giovan Battista Pastine International Airport

For his part Harry, who stood down as patron of the charity last week alongside co-founder Prince Seeiso in support of a group of trustees who have also quit, has accused Ms Chanduaka of telling ‘blatant lies’.

He said they ‘fully expected [the investigation] will unveil the truth that collectively forced us to resign’. 

Prince Harry added: ‘We remain hopeful this will allow for the charity to be put in the right hands immediately, for the sake of the communities we serve.’

His arrival in the UK capital comes as the King and Queen jetted into Rome, before visiting the city of Ravenna, as they use the ‘soft power’ diplomacy of the monarchy to strengthen Britain’s relationship with its ally.

A separate state visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church, in the Vatican, has been cancelled, as Pope Francis is recuperating after leaving hospital following treatment for double pneumonia.

With a number of Vatican events removed from the itinerary in Rome, the remaining engagements in the Italian capital have been spread over two days, and extra elements added to some engagements.

At the weekend the Pope made a surprise appearance in St Peter’s Square, in the Vatican. 

He appeared with an oxygen tube under his nose and was using a wheelchair.

King Charles waves from a car as he and Queen Camilla depart the Rome Ciampino Airport at the beginning of their four-day state visit to Italy

The King and Queen pictured departing their flight ahead of their historic state visit to Italy

Ciao fella: It is not known if King Charles III and Prince Harry met between their flights

The Duke of Sussex is back in London for an appeal against a High Court ruling on whether he is entitled to armed bodyguards paid for by the taxpayer

The prince’s legal fight comes as the Charity Commission announced it had launched an investigation into Sentebale, the charity he founded, amid a bitter boardroom rift between Harry and chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka (pictured)

Dr Sophie Chandauka, pictured with Meghan and Harry at a polo event last year that sparked a row. A year on the trio have fallen out and the Duke of Sussex resigned from Sentebale

King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Clarence House in London on March 25

Charles will hold audiences with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni 

Charles will become the first British monarch to address both houses of Italy’s parliament – the chamber of deputies and the senate of the republic.

The King will also hold audiences with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and he and his wife will attend a black-tie state banquet at the Palazzo Quirinale, hosted by the president on the evening of their 20th wedding anniversary.

The UK and Italy’s defence co-operation will be marked by a joint flypast over Rome by the Italian air force’s aerobatic team, Frecce Tricolori, and the RAF’s Red Arrows.

In Ravenna, near Bologna, Charles and Camilla will mark the 80th anniversary of the province’s liberation from Nazi occupation by allied forces, on April 10 1945, during a town hall reception.

Charles and Camilla will attend a black-tie state banquet at the Palazzo Quirinale (pictured)

Pope Francis speaks to the faithful in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican yesterday

They will celebrate literary culture by visiting Dante’s tomb and the Queen will make a solo trip to the Byron museum.

Charles returned to official public duties after cancelling a string of engagements last month, when he experienced temporary side effects from cancer treatment on March 27.

Buckingham Palace announced that the King had ‘required a short period of observation in hospital’ earlier that day.

Planned engagements in Birmingham the following day, March 28, were cancelled to prioritise his recovery as a precautionary measure.

A source described it as a ‘most minor bump in a road that is very much heading in the right direction’.