Prince Harry’s Accommodation Plans Face Challenges During U.K. Visit

Prince Harry’s plans for accommodation in London have faced challenges. On Monday, Buckingham Palace contradicted Prince Harry’s spokesperson, denying that he would stay at the royal residence. This issue adds another layer of complexity to the estranged prince’s visit to the U.K.

According to sources close to Harry, the prince planned to start a five-day visit without his family. This comes as reports suggest their police protection arrangements fell through. The drama escalated when the Duke of Sussex’s spokesperson stated he had accepted an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace. However, later on, the palace announced that Harry would not be staying there.

Sources informed CBS News that Harry missed a deadline at the end of last week necessary to accept the accommodation offer from Buckingham Palace. The palace requires advance notice to host guests like Prince Harry. Despite multiple requests for clarification about the accommodation offer, the palace did not receive a formal response. The offer was eventually declined on Saturday. However, by the time it was belatedly accepted, the deadline had passed.

The Sussexes have a different perspective. A spokesperson for the Duke claimed that Buckingham Palace withdrew their offer after it had been formally accepted. “It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment,” they said. CBS News sought comments from Harry’s representatives but has yet to receive a reply.

Prince Harry’s visit marks a countdown to the Invictus Games, scheduled for the following year in Birmingham. The games, launched by Harry in 2014, honor wounded veterans. This trip was meant to be the first occasion when Harry would visit Britain with his wife Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, after a four-year hiatus. However, Harry will be on his own during the London leg due to the refusal of royal protection.

Coincidentally, Harry’s visit aligns with the impending delivery of a judgment related to a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, the owner of the Daily Mail. Prince Harry and other celebrities sued the company over alleged unlawful information gathering. Since leaving the royal family in 2020 and moving to North America, Harry has only returned to the U.K. briefly for charity events and legal matters.