Prince Harry's recent visit to the United Kingdom for the Invictus Games countdown has brought renewed attention to a harsh three-word nickname that royal insiders have used for both him and his uncle, Prince Andrew. The moniker "Dukes of Hazard" has resurfaced amid controversy over accommodation arrangements and security disputes that overshadowed Harry's trip.
Nickname Origins and Context
On the Sun's Royal Exclusive podcast, Kate Mansey, Royal Editor for The Times, disclosed the nickname. "It was Dukes of Hazard, that's the nickname they had for Andrew and Harry because hazard, chaos followed both of them," she said. Mansey explained that courtiers pointed to the two as "the two big problems" and "big hurdles for the king during his reign," adding that "alarm signals flash every time their names are mentioned."
The Duke of Sussex traveled from California to promote the upcoming Invictus Games, scheduled for July 2027 in Birmingham. However, his journey was complicated by a dispute over whether he was invited to stay at Buckingham Palace. Harry's representatives claim he received an invitation but needed time to respond while arranging private security, as he was denied police protection. They allege the Palace withdrew the offer at the last minute.
Palace Account and Security Row
Palace sources maintain that the invitation remained open for a substantial period with a clear deadline to allow staff preparation time. They contend that Harry's team failed to meet the deadline, formally declined the invitation, and later attempted to reverse their decision too late. The security arrangements have also been a point of contention, with Harry citing them as the reason for traveling without his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Lilibet and Archie.
Mansey commented on the pattern of behavior: "Do we expect this chaos every time Harry comes? Well yes, we do. Because I think, what we've seen, the people I'm speaking to at the Palace, it's a pattern of behavior." She noted that weeks before each visit, briefings from Harry's camp speculate about potential events, such as the children joining, followed by the familiar row over security.
Legal Challenges and Public Reaction
Harry recently lost his legal challenge to secure an automatic right to UK police security. Mansey added, "It seems every time he comes palace courtiers get more and more weary with it and frankly I think the public do too." The Duke also faced a failed legal challenge against the Mail publisher.
Harry arrived in Birmingham on Thursday, 9 July, to launch the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games. He participated in demonstration events alongside past competitors. Meghan and their children joined him over the weekend, and the family met with King Charles. The King had previously outlined his sole condition for seeing his grandchildren during Harry's visit.
Royal Expert Analysis
According to Mansey, the nickname reflects the perception of Harry and Andrew as sources of ongoing disruption within the royal family. The term "Dukes of Hazard" plays on the title "Duke" and the word "hazard," indicating the chaos that insiders associate with both men. This label has re-emerged as the palace deals with recurring issues surrounding Harry's visits.
