Prince Harry ‘chose hotel stay over royal residence’ offered by King Charles on UK visit
Prince Harry’s recent visit to the UK for Invictus Games commitments was overshadowed by missed opportunities for family reunions, including reports of declined offers for accommodation at a royal residence.
Despite being in the same city, Prince Harry was unable to arrange meetings with his estranged family members due to the busy schedules of King Charles and Prince William. Earlier claims suggesting that the King outright refused to meet his youngest son were refuted by palace insiders, who clarified that while the King expressed a desire to meet Harry, the extreme media frenzy surrounding the visit posed logistical challenges. Subsequent reports indicate that an offer was extended for Prince Harry to stay at a royal residence, but he opted for accommodation at a hotel instead.
During his visit, Prince Harry celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games amidst a supportive crowd at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where chants of “We love you Harry” echoed. None of the royal family members attended the event, with King Charles hosting a tea garden party at Buckingham Palace concurrently. According to reports, while the King was open to a more private meeting with his son, Prince Harry’s decision to decline the offer of staying at a royal residence complicated logistical arrangements.
Insiders close to the monarch emphasized that a formal meeting between the King and Prince Harry could have been facilitated with less media scrutiny if the offer for accommodation had been accepted. However, sources close to Prince Harry emphasized his understanding of the King’s busy schedule and stressed his efforts to meet his ailing father, even prior to the trip. Nonetheless, conflicting accounts within the royal family suggest discrepancies regarding communication and invitations for meetings.
A close friend of King Charles affirmed that the monarch indeed expressed a desire to meet Prince Harry during his visit to the UK. The source rebuffed allegations of snubbing, explaining that while the King harbored reservations about media attention surrounding such meetings, he did accommodate a visit from Prince Harry during a vulnerable period of illness earlier in the year.
Royal expert Robert Jobson, speaking to the Sun, noted Prince Harry’s independent decision to visit his father upon learning of his cancer diagnosis, interpreting it positively despite potential media attention. However, Jobson acknowledged the King’s concerns about media scrutiny accompanying such visits.