Prince Harry will not stay at Buckingham Palace during his upcoming UK trip, despite his team's initial claim that he had accepted an invitation to do so. The Duke of Sussex is set to visit the UK this week for events marking the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. The Mirror previously reported that Harry was offered the opportunity to stay at the royal residence.
Accommodation Dispute
On Monday morning, Prince Harry's spokespeople stated that he had accepted an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace for part of his visit. However, the Palace later clarified that this would not be the case, as the accommodation is no longer available. The reason for the unavailability has not been disclosed.
The prince will also visit London for a trip to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. He had reportedly planned to bring his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, but a decision on taxpayer-funded police protection influenced the plans.
Security Concerns
It is believed that Harry was left furious after the Home Office reportedly decided that his family will not receive police protection while in the UK. Harry and Meghan had planned to bring Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, for their first UK visit together in four years. Princess Lilibet has never visited her father's country.
According to sources, Harry's team submitted a formal request for taxpayer-funded security to the police, but were told two weeks ago that the request was rejected. Harry has previously stated that the UK was "not safe" to bring his wife and children, but he was understood to have changed his mind this time, accepting an offer to stay at a royal residence. In the past, the prince has refused similar offers during other UK trips.
Legal and Logistical Challenges
Harry's access to police protection was removed in 2022 when the couple stepped back from royal duties and moved to the US. He was informed that he must give the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) 30 days' notice of any planned visit to the UK, along with his schedule. It is thought that the prince will not bring his wife and children to London, but a decision has not yet been made on whether the family could visit later in the week for trips outside the capital.
