Prince Harry Visits Buckingham Palace Alone During UK Trip Marking Invictus Games Anniversary

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has accepted an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace during his visit to the United Kingdom this week, according to his spokesperson and British media reports. The visit commemorates the one-year anniversary of the Invictus Games, which are scheduled to take place in Birmingham. Harry is expected to travel to London without his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Archie and Lilibet, despite earlier intentions to bring his family. The last time the children saw their grandfather, King Charles III, was about four years ago during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

King Charles offered Harry residence in one of the royal homes, but in late June, reports indicated that Harry's request for publicly funded police security was denied. Officials stressed that the King is not involved in security decisions regarding his son. Harry's decision to visit without his family is likely due to security concerns. Last year, he lost a legal battle against the UK government over his security arrangements, which were reduced after he stepped back from active royal duties in 2020. He is currently awaiting a review by the Advisory Committee on Protection of Public Figures following a personal appeal filed in December.

Sources close to Harry revealed that his security team is concerned about the lack of an updated risk assessment from the relevant authorities, a meeting initially planned for March but later canceled. Previously, Harry stated in a BBC interview that under current circumstances, he does not see a possibility of returning to the UK with his wife and children. Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace is undergoing extensive renovations costing approximately £370 million. King Charles himself resides at Clarence House, a decision partly made to increase public access to Buckingham Palace as a tourist and historical site.