Prince Harry's spokesperson has hit back over claims that the Duke of Sussex is not staying in Buckingham Palace during his return to the UK this week. It was reported on Monday that Harry had accepted an offer to base himself at the Palace during the London leg of his tour.
In a statement shared to reporters, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's spokesperson said: "I am aware of multiple briefings from Buckingham Palace last week suggesting that the Duke had not accepted the offer of accommodation at a Royal Residence.
"Following RAVEC’s decision not to provide security for his family, the Duke spent last week making alternative security arrangements. Once those arrangements were in place, he was able to formally accept the offer of accommodation for himself over the weekend.
"It is therefore disappointing that the offer has now been withdrawn, with Tuesday’s judgment in the Associated Newspapers Limited case cited as the reason.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 It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment."
The principal reason Prince Harry is returning is to attend One Year to Go events for the Invictus Games, which are taking place in both London and Birmingham.
The confusing back and forth follows reports over the weekend that Harry will travel to the UK alone after the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) rejected an application for taxpayer-funded, armed police protection during the London leg of the Sussexes' stay.
It remains to be seen whether Meghan Markle and the couple's two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will join him at any other point during the week in the UK.
Prince Harry had intended to travel with Meghan and their children. It has been four years since the children last saw their grandfather in person when they visited the UK for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
Harry, meanwhile, last visited the UK in September 2025 and had a brief meeting with King Charles at Clarence House.
It had previously been reported that Harry intended to take his wife and children to Althorp House in Northamptonshire to see his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales' grave. The house, which is owned by his uncle, Charles, Earl Spencer, is mysteriously closed between July 10 and 11.
