Prince Harry’s U.K. visit is still not set in stone, and King Charles is reportedly waiting for one crucial answer. According to a new report, the Duke of Sussex has not confirmed his travel plans to Buckingham Palace despite receiving an offer to stay at a royal residence. The delay is seemingly tied to Harry’s ongoing concerns over security for his family, leaving plans for a possible royal reunion uncertain.
Prince Harry is reportedly keeping King Charles in the dark about his UK plans
Prince Harry is expected to return to the U.K. next week for a five-day visit that includes several public engagements. Meghan Markle is reportedly set to join him for the Invictus Games countdown event in Birmingham. However, the biggest unanswered question is whether the family will stay at a royal residence during the trip.
So far, it seems Harry hasn’t given King Charles an answer. A source claimed Buckingham Palace is still waiting for the Duke to decide whether he will accept the King’s invitation. The offer was allegedly made in an effort to help address Harry’s security concerns while he is in Britain.
“Buckingham Palace is still waiting for the Duke’s decision,” the insider said, per the Mirror. The source also claimed the delay has become “incredibly frustrating,” as staff need time to prepare for any royal visit.
However, Harry’s hesitation is said to have little to do with the accommodation itself. Instead, sources close to the prince claim security remains the main obstacle. Harry has been involved in a long-running dispute over the level of protection he receives while in the U.K. This comes after his publicly funded security changed when he quit royal duties in 2020.
A spokesperson for Harry and Markle said the 41-year-old continues to explore “every available option” so his family can travel safely. They also argued that accommodation alone does not resolve the issue because “risk follows the person, not the place.”
Meanwhile, another source close to Harry claimed he has been left “in an impossible situation” after waiting months for a review of his security arrangements. As such, the insider alleged the lack of progress has left everything “very much up in the air.”
On the other hand, reports suggest Charles is eager to reunite with his youngest grandchildren if the visit goes ahead. Even so, the King has reportedly maintained that he cannot intervene in decisions regarding Harry’s security, as those are handled by the relevant authorities rather than the Palace.
