Despite an initial plan, Prince Harry will not be residing at Buckingham Palace during his upcoming trip to the UK this week. The decision comes as a result of the Duke of Sussex responding too late to an invitation extended by his father, King Charles.
Prince Harry won’t be staying at Buckingham Palace
The Duke, who currently resides in California, is visiting the UK to promote the Invictus Games and undertake several public engagements. His team had previously announced on Monday, 6 July 2026, that he would reside at the royal palace for part of his stay. However, recent developments confirm this is no longer the case.
Insiders said Harry had not formally responded to the king’s offer of accomodation at a royal residence by a deadline of the end of last week, and so was told over the weekend he could no longer stay at Buckingham Palace because a minimum notice period is needed to ensure guests can be honsted and Royal Household staff provided.
The 41-year-old royal’s representative admitted the decision was “disappointing” and accused the palace of withdrawing the offer “at the last moment” as they explained Harry’s delay had been due to him putting security measures in place after it was confirmed he wouldn’t receive official protection.
The representative also claimed the news a High Court ruling on Harry's privacy claim against the publisher of the Daily Mail will be published on Tuesday (07.07.26) also lead to the offer being withdrawn.
They added: "It is therefore disappointing that the offer has now been withdrawn, with Tuesday’s judgment in the Associated Newspapers Limited case cited as the reason. Buckingham Palace has, however, been aware of that judgment since last Thursday.
"It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment."
It remains unclear as to where Harry will now stay, and whether or not his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their children Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, will accompany him on any part of the trip.