Prince Harry will not be staying at Buckingham Palace during his visit to the United Kingdom this week, despite earlier reports suggesting he had accepted an invitation to use the royal residence while in London.
Although representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex indicated that Buckingham Palace would serve as Harry’s base during part of his trip, the arrangements could not be finalised because the response was received too late.
The Duke of Sussex is expected to begin his visit on Tuesday as he participates in activities marking the “One Year to Go” countdown to the Invictus Games. His itinerary includes several engagements in London before continuing in Birmingham later in the week.
Harry is travelling to the UK alone after his request for taxpayer-funded armed police protection was rejected. It remains unclear whether Meghan Markle or their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will join him at any stage of the visit.
The issue of accommodation has attracted attention because Prince Harry had previously declined an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace, expressing concerns over security arrangements. His representatives have consistently argued that security risks extend beyond royal residences, maintaining that protection should follow the individual rather than be limited to specific locations.
The Duke last visited the UK in September 2025, when he held a brief meeting with King Charles. His children have not returned to the UK since attending Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
In May 2025, Prince Harry lost a legal challenge seeking the restoration of automatic police protection during visits to the UK. Following the court ruling, he stated that he did not believe it was safe to bring his family to Britain without adequate security guarantees.
While reports have suggested that his security arrangements were under review, no official changes have been announced. The UK government has maintained that its protective security measures are rigorous and proportionate but does not disclose specific details for security reasons.
The latest development comes as the final position regarding Prince Harry’s security arrangements during visits to the UK remains unchanged publicly.
