King Charles has been warned that he could be about to make a "terrible mistake" if he allows Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their two children to stay at a royal residence during their return to the UK next month. Although not officially confirmed by Palace sources, it has widely been reported that an offer has been extended to the Sussexes for when they fly over from the US to attend the Invictus Games' One Year to Go event in Birmingham in July, marking the first time the Duchess has visited the UK since September 2022.
Royal Biographer Issues Dire Warning
Issuing the dire warning after years of sustained attacks on his family by Prince Harry, investigative biographer Tom Bower said it will be a "mistake" and something Prince William will not "tolerate". Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express, the author said: "I think it would be a terrible mistake on his part after the mistakes he made with Andrew, and I don't believe that Prince William and Princess Catherine will tolerate any way in which the Sussexes are seen to benefit by blackmailing the King and playing the game because, in the end, they want to come because they're desperate."
Background of Feud
The Prince of Wales has been feuding with his younger brother for over six years. Mr Bower made his comments after he was the subject of an explosive statement from the Sussexes following the release of his latest book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family, earlier this year. Claiming that the author has "long crossed the line from criticism into fixation", the statement began: "This is someone who has publicly stated, 'the monarchy in fact depends on actually obliterating the Sussexes from our state of life,' language that speaks for itself. He has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met. Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him."
Buckingham Palace No Longer a Residence
Mr Bower's comments come after it was confirmed that no monarch will ever live in Buckingham Palace again, despite the taxpayer footing the bill for the building's £369million 10-year resurfacing works. Announced as part of the annual royal finance reports, which revealed that the King and Prince of Wales have paid over £50m in tax since King Charles's accession, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles and Camilla will continue to reside at their London home, Clarence House, when the 10-year refurbishment of Monarchy HQ concludes in March 2027. The Palace will remain the symbol of the Royal Family, home to state banquets, dinners, Garden Parties and investitures, as well as the central headquarters of the monarchy - but it will cease to be a residential home. A Palace spokesperson downplayed the change, ending the centuries-old tradition of British monarchs residing at the iconic building, and said: “The Palace will continue in every traditional way to be the beating heart of the Monarchy, just not its resting head.”
Tax Details Revealed
The new tax details show that the King paid £12.9million in income tax and capital gains tax in the 2024-25 financial year, from his private income from his private Duchy of Lancaster estate and other private assets, including Balmoral and Sandringham and investments.
