Prince Harry’s UK visit thrown into turmoil as Buckingham Palace pulls royal stay | Today’s news
Prince Harry will not stay at Buckingham Palace during his visit to the United Kingdom this week, despite earlier indications that the Duke of Sussex has accepted an offer to stay at the royal residence, Buckingham Palace and the prince’s representatives said.
Prince Harry will not be staying at Buckingham Palace during his upcoming visit to: Buckingham Palace
The latest disagreement represents another chapter in the strained relationship between Prince Harry and the British royal household, with conflicting accounts emerging over the timing and circumstances surrounding the accommodation.
The Duke is traveling to London and Birmingham for a number of charity events, including events linked to the 2027 Invictus Games.
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Earlier Monday, Prince Harry’s representatives said he had accepted an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace during his visit. However, Buckingham Palace subsequently clarified that the accommodation would no longer be available after the Prince failed to confirm his arrangements within the required timeframe.
According to royal sources cited by the BBC and other British media, Prince Harry did not formally respond to the offer of accommodation by the deadline set by palace officials. As a result, he was informed at the weekend that he would no longer be able to stay at the royal residence due to logistical and personnel reasons.
FILE PHOTO: Britain’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reacts as she, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Queen Camilla and King Charles attend the state funeral and funeral of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in London, Britain September 19, 2022 REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo(REUTERS)
A spokesman for the Duke of Sussex disputed the palace’s account, saying the delay was related to ongoing concerns about security measures. A spokesman said: “Following RAVEC’s decision not to provide protection for his family, the Duke has spent the past week putting in place alternative security arrangements. Once these arrangements were in place, he was able to formally accept an offer of accommodation for himself at the weekend.”
The spokesman added: “It is therefore disappointing that the offer has now been withdrawn, citing Tuesday’s judgment in Associated Newspapers Limited as the reason. However, Buckingham Palace has been aware of this judgment since last Thursday. It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the offer of accommodation, it has now been withdrawn at the last minute.”
The dispute comes amid long-standing concerns about Prince Harry’s personal safety in the UK. The Duke and his wife Meghan left their royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States. Harry has since taken legal action to reduce the publicly funded security cover available to him and his family when visiting Britain.
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The latest visit was originally expected to include Meghan and the couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. However, Harry’s representatives have confirmed that his wife and children will not be accompanying him to London, although they could potentially join him later during the engagement in Birmingham.
The timing of the accommodation dispute has also attracted attention because of the upcoming High Court ruling in Prince Harry’s legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail. Palace sources indicated that the upcoming decision raised further constitutional sensitivities over the position of the king and the prince’s presence in the royal residence.
FILE PHOTO: Britain’s Prince Harry leaves after appearing in court for his appeal against the rejection of his legal challenge against the British government’s decision to withdraw police protection while he is in Britain, outside the High Court in London, Britain, April 8, 2025. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska/File Photo(REUTERS)
Relations between Prince Harry and the royal family have been strained since he stepped down from official royal duties, with public conversations, the publication of his memoir Spare and ongoing legal disputes contributing to the rift. Despite the Duke’s previous statements expressing a desire to reconcile with the family, questions remain as to whether he will meet King Charles during his latest visit to Britain.
Buckingham Palace has made no further public comment on Prince Harry’s accommodation apart from confirming that he will not be staying at Buckingham Palace during his current visit.
