SOURCES who claim Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were denied a ride of Air Force One say they know the real reason the US President said no.

The couple were said to have been turned down in the wake of the late Queen’s funeral after asking if they could fly back to the States with Biden on his presidential plane.

3

Sources told the Daily Mail that staff reached out on behalf of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to ask for the favour.

However, it has also been revealed Harry and Meghan were told no out of fear such a gesture would “strain relations” between the US government and Buckingham Palace.

An insider told the Mail: “It would have caused such a commotion.

“It would have strained relations with the Palace and the new King.”

Another added that the idea was a “non-starter”.

The question was also said to have raised questions around who should cough up the cash for such a trip.

The US government pays for officials to travel, while Biden pays personally for family members and his party foots the bill for travel to campaign events.

The laws around politicians giving and receiving perks of that nature are very strict in the US, especially if they can be seen as helping campaign prospects.

The Sun has approached the White House, Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes for further comment.

The White House and Buckingham Palace both declined to comment for this story.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess did not respond to a request for comment.

It comes after a pal of the couple denied claims that they are “taking time apart” after rumours of a rift emerged.

Claims this week surfaced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are giving each other space – but they have been swiftly denied by an insider.

A source close to the couple told Page Six: “It’s not true, it’s literally made up.”

Meanwhile, the pair’s much-derided, Royal-bashing Netflix show has been put up for a prestigious TV gong after being snubbed at the Emmys.

3