A royal source has claimed King Charles was 'tested beyond endurance' earlier this week after a public war of words erupted between Prince Harry and Buckingham Palace over accommodation for the Duke of Sussex during his visit to the UK.
Public dispute over royal residence
On Monday, hours before Harry arrived in the UK, the Sussex camp released a statement claiming the Duke had accepted the monarch's offer to stay at Buckingham Palace. However, within minutes, the Palace issued a statement saying the offer had been withdrawn as it was no longer feasible for Harry to stay. Further statements from both sides followed, each defending their position. Ultimately, Harry stayed in private accommodation during his few days in London.
A royal aide told The Sun: 'The King’s patience snapped. He wants to be a loving father and grandfather but that was being tested beyond endurance. He is not willing to be pushed around, nor to indulge a constant state of chaos.'
Timing and security issues
When the visit was first announced, it was reported that Harry had been offered a room at Buckingham Palace by the King. However, when Harry's security arrangements were thrown into disarray, he delayed accepting the offer. The Palace said the prince had waited too long to accept, meaning appropriate arrangements could not be made in time. Buckingham Palace has 240 bedrooms, with 52 reserved for royals and guests, and requires a minimum notice period to host guests safely.
Harry's engagements and legal setback
Harry arrived on Monday evening and attended the 'Shoot The People' UK Premiere at Picturehouse Central, alongside his friend Misan Harriman, chairman of the Southbank Centre. On Tuesday, he attended an Invictus Games Foundation event at Chatham House, part of the 'One Year to Go' celebrations for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
During the event, Harry lost his High Court case against Associated Newspapers Limited, publishers of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed claims of unlawful information gathering, stating Harry 'has limited evidence to give on the contentious matters'. Harry and Baroness Doreen Lawrence released a statement calling the result 'a complete and obvious whitewash, but sadly not altogether unexpected'.
