Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Prince Harry will not be staying at any royal residence during the trip, stating that an offer of accommodation could no longer be honoured after what it described as a delayed response from the Duke’s team.
According to royal sources, the Duke had been offered lodging at a royal residence but failed to formally accept within the required timeframe. The palace said the invitation required a clear response by the end of last week to allow for logistical planning, including staffing and security arrangements.
“The palace said it informed the Duke over the weekend that it could no longer host him because sufficient notice was required to make the necessary arrangements and assign Royal Household staff,” one source explained.
Conflicting Accounts Over Timing of Acceptance
The situation became more complicated after Buckingham Palace and Prince Harry’s representatives gave differing versions of how the exchange unfolded.
The palace maintains that the Duke’s team initially declined the offer in correspondence on Saturday before later reversing that position and attempting to accept it on the same day—by which time, officials say, arrangements could no longer be made.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry acknowledged that the offer had been withdrawn, describing the outcome as “disappointing”.
However, the Duke’s team disputes the palace’s account, insisting the invitation was accepted properly and rejecting claims that the timing or procedural delays led to the breakdown in arrangements.
Palace Raises Neutrality Concerns
Buckingham Palace also cited additional considerations, noting that a court ruling connected to Prince Harry’s legal action against Associated Newspapers was expected on Tuesday.
Officials suggested that hosting the Duke at a royal residence during such a sensitive period could raise questions about King Charles III’s constitutional neutrality.
That explanation has been firmly rejected by Harry’s representatives, who insist the accommodation decision had nothing to do with legal proceedings or their timing.
Ongoing Strains Between Both Sides
The disagreement adds to already strained relations between the Duke of Sussex and the Royal Household, with both parties once again presenting sharply different interpretations of the same sequence of events.
While the accommodation issue has drawn attention, Prince Harry is still expected to continue with his planned engagements in the United Kingdom. These include activities tied to preparations for the 2027 Invictus Games, which are scheduled to take place in Birmingham.
Meghan and Children Expected to Stay Away
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, along with the couple’s children—Archie and Lilibet—are not expected to accompany him on the trip to London.
This follows the decision that they will not receive taxpayer-funded police protection during the visit. However, reports suggest they could potentially join him later in Birmingham for select events linked to the Invictus Games.
The latest development underscores the continuing friction between Prince Harry’s household and Buckingham Palace, with both sides holding firm to their respective accounts of how the situation unfolded.