Harry ‘turned down new Palace offer’

The Duke of Sussex declined a recent invitation from Buckingham Palace, it’s been reported.

IN LONDON

Prince Harry reportedly rejected an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace when he returns to the UK next week.

The Duke of Sussex is set to fly from the US to London in the coming days to appear at his High Court trial against News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, over alleged unlawful information-gathering. The publisher has denied the claims.

While in town for proceedings, Harry is set to be given “limited police protection”, after losing his legal battle for taxpayer-funded security.

According to the UK’s Mirror, he was also offered accommodation at Buckingham Palace, but “turned it down”.

It’s unclear where he will stay during his visit. During his most recent visit last August, the duke stayed with his uncle, Charles Spencer, at Althorp House – which is also the childhood home of his mother.

In May 2024, he also reportedly declined an invitation from the Palace to stay within royal grounds, which are among the best-protected in the UK.

Harry is returning to London in the coming days. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

He reportedly turned down an offer to stay at one of the King’s residences, Buckingham Palace. Picture: Jane Barlow-WPA Pool/Getty Images

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The prince’s security has been a controversial topic since his departure from royal duties in 2020.

He lost a legal challenge last year in which he’d fought against the decision to downgrade his security status when he quit his role as a working member of the monarchy.

Instead of the automatic protection offered to the royal family, Harry’s UK security is now assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Metropolitan police, as is the process for other VIP visitors.

Harry – seen here with his father and brother in 2014 – has multiple legal battles. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

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However, last June, he was granted permission to appeal against the High Court ruling over his security arrangements.

Like all his other visits to his home country in recent years, Harry will be travelling solo next week. It’s understood his wife, Meghan Markle, and the couple’s two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will stay at their home in Montecito.

The Duchess of Sussex has not been in the UK since September 2022, when she and Harry attended the late Queen’s funeral.

Harry has previously stated that he doesn’t currently feel safe bringing his family to Britain.

“All it takes is one lone actor, one person who read this stuff, to act on what they have read,” Harry explained in the ITV documentary Tabloids on Trial last year.

“And whether that is a knife or acid … they are genuine concerns for me, they are one of the reasons I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”

Originally published as Harry ‘turned down new Palace offer’