King Charles convened a rare family dinner with senior members of the Royal Family at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Monday evening. The gathering occurred as Prince Harry's upcoming visit to the United Kingdom this weekend has become a subject of significant public and media attention.
Attending the private event, known as a 'dine and sleep,' were the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince William, who is known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, joined the family after an engagement in Aberdeen related to his Homewards initiative. Princess Anne and Prince Edward had previously attended a garden party at the palace.
While private royal gatherings are not officially recorded in the Court Circular, confirmation of the dinner has been obtained. Buckingham Palace has not commented on the event or any potential discussions.
The family dinner precedes the Order of the Thistle service, an annual celebration of the ancient Scottish order of chivalry, which the King, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Prince Edward are scheduled to attend.
The gathering takes place against a backdrop of heightened speculation surrounding Prince Harry's impending trip. As of Tuesday, there had been no confirmation from Buckingham Palace regarding an offer of accommodation for the Duke of Sussex at the palace or another royal residence during his stay, which could last up to two weeks. Prince Harry's team has announced a public itinerary for his visit, including engagements and his intention to bring his wife Meghan and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for the first time in four years. He has also expressed a desire for his children to meet their grandfather.
Recent reports indicated that Prince Harry's visit was in jeopardy due to concerns over security arrangements. His team stated that the Home Office committee regulating royal and diplomatic policing had not yet considered his request for round-the-clock security during his UK visit. Harry had previously lost a court case against the Home Office regarding the removal of his police protection after he stepped down from royal duties. He had asked for a reconsideration of his risk assessment, citing safety concerns for his family. This situation has reportedly caused puzzlement in royal circles, as his visit was publicly announced without apparent resolution on enhanced security.