Prince Harry will not be staying at Buckingham Palace during his current visit to London, officials have confirmed, after the Duke missed the deadline to accept an offer to reside at the royal residence. The younger son of King Charles III arrived in the United Kingdom on Sunday evening but did not accept the palace accommodation invitation within the timeframe set by royal staff.
A spokesman for Prince Harry initially told the BBC that the duke had formally accepted an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace for part of his visit. However, palace officials quickly clarified that no such arrangement had been confirmed. Sources indicated that although the King extended the offer to accommodate his son, no timely response was received. As a result, preparations for hospitality and security at the palace were halted.
It is understood that Harry was given until the end of last week to respond to the invitation, which was issued as a courtesy due to ongoing refurbishments at Buckingham Palace. Large sections of the palace remain closed while reservicing work continues, limiting available accommodation and necessitating firm planning deadlines. Reports suggest that the Duke initially declined the offer on Saturday but later reversed his decision. By that time, however, the palace staff had already been instructed to stand down.
The duke is currently staying in a hotel during his time in London, similar to previous visits. Notably, Harry had requested to stay at Buckingham Palace on the evening a judgment is expected in his ongoing legal case against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday. There were media reports that Harry intended to deliver a "victory speech" following the ruling, a scenario that palace officials reportedly feared could place the King in an awkward position and potentially compromise his constitutional role.
No official comment has been made regarding the impact of the legal proceedings on the decision about accommodation, but the timing and the refusal to meet the deadline appear to have influenced the arrangements. The situation highlights the delicate balance between Harry’s personal circumstances and the constitutional responsibilities of the monarchy.