Prince Harry UK visit live: Invite to stay at Buckingham Palace withdrawn ‘at last moment’, says Duke

Harry was said to be “desperate” for his children to see their grandfather in England, where they will travel for the first time in four years.

A source close to Harry and Meghan accused the Home Office and the committee responsible for assessing their safety of “deliberately creating conditions that made it almost impossible” for them to travel safely in the UK. Telegram was reported last month.

Seven-year-old son Archie and five-year-old daughter Lilibet are with Queen Elizabeth II. They have not seen King Charles since Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

It is not known whether the Duke will still meet with his father, who is said to no longer be able to stay at Buckingham Palace.

The couple last saw each other in September, having tea at Clarence House.

Harry’s acceptance of the invitation to stay at the royal residence was thought to signify improved relations between him and the King.

Prince Harry has claimed his invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace was canceled ahead of the expected verdict in his case against the Daily Mail publisher due to be announced on Tuesday.

The Duke of Sussex, along with a number of other high-profile figures, has taken legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over allegations that the broadcaster carried out or commissioned illegal activities such as hiring private detectives to plant listening devices in cars, “spoofing” private recordings and accessing private phone conversations.

ANL firmly denies the “preposterous” allegations, which have been on trial in London for nine weeks.

Harry’s spokesman said Tuesday’s decision was cited as the reason for canceling the bid.

“However, Buckingham Palace has been aware of this decision since last Thursday,” the spokesman said.

“It is therefore unclear why the offer of accommodation was withdrawn at the last minute after being formally accepted.”

Prince Harry will stay in private accommodation for the entirety of his visit to the UK.

His spokesman told The Independent he will no longer be staying at any royal residence after his bid to stay at Buckingham Palace was cancelled.

The Duke accepted an invitation to stay at the royal estate during his visit to England last month.

A spokesman for the Duke of Sussex said: “I am aware of multiple briefings from Buckingham Palace last week suggesting that the Duke did not accept an offer of accommodation at the Royal Residence.

“Following RAVEC’s decision not to ensure the safety of his family, the Duke has spent the past week making alternative security arrangements.

“Once these arrangements were made he was able to formally accept an offer of accommodation for himself over the weekend, so it is disappointing that the offer has been withdrawn, citing Tuesday’s decision in the Associated Newspapers Limited case.

“However, Buckingham Palace has been aware of this decision since last Thursday, so it is unclear why it withdrew at the last minute after formally accepting the offer of accommodation.”

Prince Harry will not stay at Buckingham Palace during his stay in England.

The Duke of Sussex claimed the weekend invitation was canceled after accepting it.