Prince Harry Faces Another Setback to UK Trip As Buckingham Palace Invite Is ‘Withdrawn’

Prince Harry’s trip to the UK this week has been thrown into chaos after Buckingham Palace insisted he would not be staying there.

The Duke of Sussex, 41, announced early on Monday, July 6, that he would be taking up the invitation to stay at the royal residence when he arrived in London, per the BBC.

However, within hours, it emerged that the invitation had actually been “withdrawn”.

According to the BBC, royal sources within the Palace said by leaving it to the last minute Harry had not officially responded to the accommodation offer by the required deadline. It is understood the Palace needs “a minimum notice period,” and this is to ensure any guest can be properly hosted and staff from the Royal Household can be provided.

A spokesperson for Harry then confirmed that despite an earlier statement, they understood that the offer to stay at the palace had now been withdrawn, a decision they described as “disappointing”.

There are also thought to be concerns from the palace about Harry staying there when a court result is expected on Tuesday, June 7, following his case against Associated Newspapers.

However, this date has been in place for some time, and the Harry’s spokesman added, “It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment.”

Harry has already changed his plans significantly from his original intention to bring his whole family to the UK over security concerns.

Last week it was reported that his wife, Meghan Markle, and children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, may no longer come to the UK at all. Updated reports suggest they will possibly fly over later in the week.

For now, Harry is expected in the UK on Monday, July 6, with his first engagements on Tuesday, July 7.