Monday, June 6, 2026 - Prince Harry will not be staying at Buckingham Palace during
his visit to London this week after a disagreement emerged between his
representatives and the Palace over an accommodation offer.
The development follows conflicting accounts from the Duke
of Sussex's team and King Charles III's household regarding an invitation
extended to Harry ahead of his visit.
According to Buckingham Palace, accommodation at a royal
residence was offered to Prince Harry, but his team failed to confirm whether
the invitation would be accepted before the deadline. Palace sources said the
Sussex team subsequently declined the offer on Saturday before later changing
its position and seeking to accept it. The Palace said Harry was informed on
Saturday evening that it was no longer possible for him to stay because
arrangements and staffing could no longer be made.
A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex, however, disputed the
Palace's account, saying the offer had been formally accepted before it was
withdrawn. “It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the
accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment,” the
spokesperson said. The spokesperson described the decision to withdraw the
invitation as "disappointing."
Palace sources also indicated there were concerns about the
timing of Harry's stay, with the outcome of his legal case against Associated
Newspapers due to be delivered during his visit. According to the Palace, there
were concerns about the optics of the King appearing to host the Duke while
court proceedings involving a high-profile media case were unfolding, given the
monarch's constitutional neutrality.
The Sussex team rejected suggestions that the timing of the
court ruling influenced the accommodation dispute, arguing that the schedule
for the case had already been known. Despite the disagreement, Prince Harry is
expected to proceed with his engagements in the United Kingdom this week,
including events promoting the Invictus Games, which will be hosted in
Birmingham next year.
His wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their children,
Archie and Lilibet, are not expected to accompany him to London after it was
confirmed the family would not receive taxpayer-funded police protection during
the visit. However, reports indicate they could join him later in the week in
Birmingham.
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