Prince Harry’s trip to the UK has been beset by difficulties ahead of his arrival in London from the USA this week. On Monday, the Palace said Harry will not be staying in the royal residence during his trip, despite his team announcing that he had accepted an invitation to do so.
A spokesperson for the Duke said the Palace has “withdrawn” the invitation that was originally extended to the Sussex family to stay in an unnamed royal residence. According to Buckingham Palace, the duke's team had formally declined the invitation on Saturday, then changed their position and accepted the offer to stay - but by then it was too late to make arrangements and to provide staffing.
Why is Harry coming to the UK?
Prince Harry will be returning to the UK ahead of a promotional event for the Invictus Games in Birmingham. The Midlands city will host the multi-sport event for veterans, founded by Prince Harry, in July 2027. But more importantly, this trip will coincide with the handing down of the judgment for Harry’s case against Associated Newspapers. Alongside six other celebrities, the Prince is awaiting the verdict of the nine-week High Court trial, which concluded earlier this year. It was hoped that this visit would reunite the King with his youngest grandchildren, who he has not seen in over four years.
There had also been reports that the latter part of Harry’s trip with the children would include a visit to the family estate of the late Princess Diana in Althorp, Northampton, and for the family to visit his mother’s private grave.
When is Harry coming to the UK?
Prince Harry is expected in the UK on Monday, though this is not officially confirmed. He has not been to the UK since his High Court trial concluded in March and has not seen the King since last September. The Duchess is not believed to have visited the UK since 2022 at the time of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Why is he not bringing Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet?
The King has not seen his grandchildren in four years. The Prince has always been fiercely protective of his family, but security measures for Team Sussex were denied by RAVEC, the committee that decides on tax-funded protection for royalty and public figures. Last year, the Duke lost a legal battle with the government over his security in the UK after it was downgraded when he decided to step back from his role as a working royal. His children have not seen their grandfather, the King, in four years.
Where will Prince Harry stay?
Harry will not be staying in any royal residence after his offer to stay at Buckingham Palace was rescinded. Instead, the Prince is understood to be staying in private accommodation both in London and as he travels to Birmingham for the Invictus Games promotional event.
What has the Palace said about Harry’s trip?
According to the BBC, royal sources said the Duke had not responded to the offer of accommodation at a royal residence by the deadline. Therefore, provisions for the visit, including staffing, would not have been available on such short notice.
What has Prince Harry said on the row?
A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said: “I am aware of multiple briefings from Buckingham Palace last week suggesting that the Duke had not accepted the offer of accommodation at a Royal Residence. Following RAVEC’s decision not to provide security for his family, the Duke spent last week making alternative security arrangements. Once those arrangements were in place, he was able to formally accept the offer of accommodation for himself over the weekend. It is therefore disappointing that the offer has now been withdrawn, with Tuesday’s judgment in the Associated Newspapers Limited case cited as the reason. Buckingham Palace has, however, been aware of that judgment since last Thursday. It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment.”
What will the High Court judgment mean for Harry?
Prince Harry’s planned trip coincides with the handing down of the High Court judgment on his case against Associated Newspapers. Alongside Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, Prince Harry filed a hugely expensive lawsuit against the Daily Mail’s publisher following allegations of unlawful behaviour. The claimants allege that dozens of stories published by the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday between the 1990s and 2011 were based on information that had been obtained unlawfully. This includes alleged mobile phone hacking, phone tapping, and hiring private investigators. Legal costs are expected to run into the tens of millions. But more importantly, it will be Harry’s and the Daily Mail’s reputation that is at stake.
