Buckingham Palace says Prince Harry will not stay at palace

Buckingham Palace Announces Prince Harry Will Not Stay at the Palace

Buckingham Palace says Prince Harry will - Prince Harry is set to visit London this week, but Buckingham Palace has clarified that he will not be residing at the royal estate. This comes after his team initially claimed he had accepted an invitation to stay. According to palace insiders, the duke had not timely confirmed his accommodation arrangement, leading to the decision that he would not be able to remain at the palace. The announcement was made on Saturday evening, with Harry being informed of the change.

Contradictory Accounts Emerge

The palace reported that Harry’s team had formally declined the offer by Saturday, only to later reverse their stance. However, by the time the acceptance was confirmed, logistical preparations had already been finalized. A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex stated,

"Despite their earlier statement, we understand the offer to stay at the palace has been 'withdrawn'—a decision we find disappointing."

Meanwhile, palace sources emphasized the confusion surrounding the timing of the invitation. They noted that the duke’s team had been aware of the court case against Associated Newspapers, which was set for Tuesday. This raised concerns about potential controversies if Harry’s remarks during the visit were seen as biased, given the symbolic significance of Buckingham Palace as the monarchy’s headquarters.

Timeline of the Visit

• 27 June: The Sussex family planned to arrive in the UK, expecting to stay at a royal residence.
• 28 June: Security concerns led Harry to reconsider bringing his family to the UK.
• 29 June: He still hoped security issues could be resolved to reunite with Meghan and their children.
• 6 July: Harry’s team claimed he had accepted the palace’s offer, but Buckingham Palace disputed this, stating he had already been informed of the no-stay decision.
• 7 July: The visit is scheduled to begin in London, with Harry promoting the Invictus Games in Birmingham and supporting charity events.

Harry’s wife, Meghan, and their two children will not join him in London at the start of the trip but may arrive later in the week. The royal couple last visited the UK together in 2022 for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. Their absence from the initial events highlights ongoing tensions and differing perspectives on the visit’s logistics.