Prince Harry’s planned stay at Buckingham Palace during his upcoming UK visit has been withdrawn at the last moment, according to a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex. The offer was revoked just before a court ruling in his case against the publisher of the Daily Mail, which is expected on Tuesday. Harry had previously accepted the offer after making alternative security arrangements for himself, but not for his family, following the Royal and VIP Executive Committee’s (RAVEC) decision not to provide security for them.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Harry has accepted King Charles III’s offer to stay at the palace without his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The family will reportedly miss the London leg of the trip, which focuses on events marking one year before the Invictus Games in Birmingham in 2027. The Sussexes had initially planned to stay at both private and royal residences during their visit.
The Royal Family has scheduled over 29 public engagements for senior working royals during Harry’s visit, aiming to overshadow the ongoing drama surrounding the Sussexes’ trip. Concerns have been raised about the potential overshadowing of royal duties by the media frenzy around Harry’s visit. Reports suggest Harry was reportedly 'close to tears' after learning that his request for a security review was delayed, despite his legal battle over taxpayer-funded protection.
Harry will undertake several solo engagements in London while his family remains on holiday in mainland Europe. The King will also conduct private meetings not listed in advance.