Royal insiders are reportedly blaming King Charles's "men in gray suits" for a recent dispute that led to Prince Harry not being offered accommodation at Buckingham Palace during his visit to the United Kingdom. Harry's representatives had announced on a Monday that he had accepted an invitation to stay at a royal residence after finalizing security arrangements, only for palace staff to inform him it was not possible due to a missed July 3 deadline for confirming his visit.
Harry arrived in London on Monday afternoon, but his accommodation for the trip remains undisclosed. Royal biographer Hugo Vickers suggested that if the intention was for Harry to stay at the palace, a room would have been made available regardless of arrival time. One source close to the Duke of Sussex questioned the lack of available accommodation, especially considering a recent renovation of the palace.
Vickers, however, suggested that King Charles himself was not to blame, pointing to the king's staff, whom Harry has referred to as "men in gray suits" in his memoir "Spare." According to Vickers, the courtiers are responsible for protocol, and while the king could arrange a meeting if he wished, the situation has become overly complicated.
Page Six reported that Harry had hoped to bring his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK for the first time in four years to see their grandfather. However, there are no current plans for them to travel to Britain. Harry is expected to fulfill his charity commitments before returning to his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, who are currently in Europe.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry stated that the prince had a valid reason for missing the confirmation deadline. "Following [the Royal and VIP Executive Committee’s] decision not to provide security for his family, the duke spent last week making alternative security arrangements. Once those arrangements were in place, he was able to formally accept the offer of accommodation for himself over the weekend," the spokesperson said.
Buckingham Palace had also briefed that Harry's stay at a royal property would be inappropriate given that a judgment was due in his case against Associated Newspapers Limited the following day, and it would be incorrect for King Charles to be involved. Harry is involved in a legal battle with the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
The spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex noted that the palace had been aware of the upcoming judgment since the previous Thursday and questioned why the accommodation offer was withdrawn at the last minute after being formally accepted. The report also touched on Harry's past statements about feeling trapped by the rigid structures of royal life.
Despite the current issues, Harry still hopes to meet with his father privately. Vickers commented that such disputes detract from the royal family's broader efforts to represent the UK and the Commonwealth, potentially making the king appear in a negative light and increasing division.
Sources indicated that the situation is particularly frustrating because Harry has been seeking government approval for armed security similar to that provided to senior working royals. Sir Clive Alderton, King Charles's private secretary, is a member of RAVEC, the committee that reviews such requests. A private secretary to Prince William and representatives from the Risk Management Board also sit on this committee.
King Charles has a schedule of engagements, including a visit to the Royal Tank Regiment. Prince Harry's itinerary includes attending an Invictus Games Foundation event in London and visiting veterans at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, followed by events in Birmingham related to the 2027 Invictus Games.