A fresh row has erupted between Buckingham Palace and Prince Harry after an invitation for the Duke of Sussex to stay at the royal residence during his UK visit was withdrawn. The decision, taken in consultation with King Charles, has cast doubt on whether the two will meet during Harry's five-day trip.
Harry's spokesperson initially announced that the duke had accepted an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace, marking a potential thaw in relations. However, within 15 minutes, the palace clarified that no such invitation stood, citing insufficient notice for staffing arrangements. Harry's team claimed they had been working on complex security logistics, which caused the delay in accepting.
The palace maintained that every effort had been made to facilitate the stay, but common courtesy required a minimum notice period for staff. The duke had reportedly turned down the initial offer on Saturday before changing his mind later that day, by which time it was deemed too late to organise.
Harry's camp expressed disappointment, particularly over suggestions that the withdrawal was linked to an impending High Court judgment in a case brought by Harry against Associated Newspapers Limited over unlawful information-gathering. The palace was aware of the judgment since Thursday, making the timing of the decision mystifying, according to the spokesperson.
It remains unclear whether Harry will see his father during the trip. The king has a busy schedule, while Harry will attend charity engagements in London and Birmingham, including promoting the 2027 Invictus Games. No decision has been made on whether his wife Meghan and their children will join him later.
