Buckingham Palace denies Prince Harry will stay at London landmark

Buckingham Palace denies Prince Harry will stay at London landmark

Buckingham Palace and the representatives of Prince Harry have issued contradictory accounts regarding the Duke of Sussex's accommodation during his current visit to the United Kingdom, resulting in a public war of words. Despite claims from the prince's team that he had accepted an offer to stay at the royal residence, Palace aides have denied that the Duke will be staying at the landmark.

The disagreement centers on the timing of the acceptance. Royal sources state the duke failed to formally respond to the offer of accommodation by the deadline at the end of last week. While it is understood Harry initially declined the offer on Saturday, the Palace claims he later changed his mind and attempted to accept it after the deadline had passed. Because the Royal Household requires a minimum notice period to ensure a royal residence is properly staffed and prepared, officials informed the prince that the accommodation was no longer available.

A spokesperson for Prince Harry disputed this version of events, describing the decision as disappointing and claiming the offer was withdrawn at the last moment after being formally accepted. The spokesperson explained that following a decision by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) to deny security for his family, the duke spent last week arranging alternative security. Once those plans were in place, the spokesman says Harry was able to formally accept the offer over the weekend.

Security and Legal Complications

The visit has been fraught with tension over taxpayer-funded police protection. The duke's private security team provided a 40-page threat assessment to the government, warning that five of six known terrorist plots targeting him originated on British soil and that an attack during the Invictus Games could cause mass casualties. Harry has previously stated he would not bring his family to the UK without improved security, following a May 2025 legal loss regarding his police protection.

These security concerns have already impacted the trip's itinerary. Meghan Markle and the couple's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are confirmed not to be travelling to London. However, it remains possible they may join the prince in Birmingham or other parts of the country later in the week. This would mark the first time the children have seen King Charles in person since June 2022.

Additional complications involve a landmark privacy battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail. A court result in the Associated Newspapers Limited case is due on Tuesday. The Palace reportedly cited this judgment as a reason for the accommodation decision to ensure King Charles remains constitutionally neutral. The duke's team rejected this as a factor, noting the Palace was aware of the judgment date since the previous Thursday.

Itinerary and Royal Reunions

The duke's five-day programme begins on Monday, July 6, 2026, and includes the following engagements:

• An Invictus Games Foundation event at Chatham House.
• A public appearance at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
• A visit to Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre and the city's children's hospital for the Invictus Games' One Year To Go ceremony.
• Charity events for Scotty's Little Soldiers and WellChild.

The duke also intends to take his children to Althorp in Northamptonshire to visit the grave of Princess Diana. According to the estate's website, Althorp House will be closed between July 10 and July 11. While the Duchess and children are not in London, they may still visit Birmingham and Northamptonshire.

Whether King Charles and Prince Harry will meet remains uncertain, though a private meeting is widely expected. The two last reunited for tea at Clarence House in September 2025. While the King is reportedly keen to make an appropriate royal residence available for the Sussex family in the future, the current dispute over London accommodation highlights the deep distrust and poor communication between the two camps.

Prince Harry is now expected to stay in private accommodation at an undisclosed location for the duration of his London visit.