Prince Harry to Stay at Buckingham Palace During UK Visit Ahead of Invictus Games
Prince Harry will stay at Buckingham Palace for part of his visit to the United Kingdom this week after formally accepting an invitation, according to a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex.
The visit is part of Prince Harry’s preparations for the 2027 Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham, as well as a series of charity engagements.
However, the Duke will travel to London without his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. The decision follows confirmation that the family will not receive taxpayer-funded police protection during the London portion of the trip.
Despite their absence from London, Meghan and the children could still join Prince Harry later in the week when he travels to Birmingham to promote the Invictus Games, although no final decision has been announced.
It also remains uncertain whether King Charles III will meet Archie and Lilibet during the visit. The King has not seen his grandchildren in person for four years, and any potential family reunion has yet to be confirmed.
While in Birmingham, Prince Harry is expected to visit the city’s children’s hospital and the National Exhibition Centre, which will host the Invictus Games next year.
Reports have also suggested that the Duke may visit Althorp, the ancestral home of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Earlier plans reportedly included taking Meghan and their children to Diana’s private gravesite, although those arrangements may now change following the revised travel schedule.
Prince Harry’s security concerns have remained a major issue since he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to the United States.
The Duke has challenged a decision by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee’s Risk Management Board, which ruled that his security while visiting the UK would be assessed on a case-by-case basis rather than providing automatic taxpayer-funded protection.
In previous interviews, Prince Harry has said he does not feel it is safe to bring his family to Britain without enhanced security arrangements.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last visited the UK together in 2022 for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, Prince Harry has returned alone on several occasions, including a visit last year during which he met King Charles.
