Harry and Meghan Markle were said to be staying in a spacious suite that featured a large terrace with a view overlooking the Rhine River. To ensure security, the hotel had implemented heightened measures on the premises, including a motor cruiser stationed outside and uniformed military personnel patrolling the grounds.
Although the hotel had been discreet about which VIPs were expected to attend the event, preparations were underway, with Harry set to arrive on Saturday morning for an eight-day stay. The Hyatt Regency Hotel had become a prominent landmark in the media harbor area. Guests at the hotel could indulge in relaxation and recreation at the River Spa, a sprawling 484-square-meter space offering massages and cosmetic treatments.
Additionally, the spa featured a fitness gym area complete with a large whirlpool and both wet and dry saunas, all with views of the Rhine. The hotel also provided a variety of dining options, ranging from room service to private dining at the chef's table. The Docks restaurant, known for its French-American cuisine, offered guests a view of the Rhine and featured a raw bar and an open show kitchen.
However, concerns were raised on social media, particularly Twitter, as guests began to notice an unusual smell in the hallway near Prince Harry and Meghan's room. An account claiming to be a hotel employee tweeted about the increasingly potent odor, speculating that Prince Harry's room's location on the top floor might have been a strategic choice to mitigate the smell's impact on other guests. This incident drew attention to Prince Harry's past admissions of using substances like cannabis, magic mushrooms, and cocaine, claiming they helped him gain insight into his struggles with mental health.
Prince Harry's openness about his drug use raised questions about his promotion of drug use as a legitimate form of treatment for mental health issues. Previously, he had admitted to smoking pot during his teenage years and had been briefly sent to a drug rehab clinic by Prince Charles at the age of 17. Furthermore, reports suggested that Meghan had offered a joint to guests at their wedding in Jamaica, where marijuana was legal.
In recent times, Prince Harry and Meghan had moved from movie producer Tyler Perry's Los Angeles residence to a nine-bedroom property, financed by a £7.25 million mortgage with some financial assistance from Prince Charles. The couple had expressed their intention to make this new property their permanent home after residing in Windsor, Canada, and Los Angeles within a short span of time. The grand entrance of their new residence featured a pathway paved with hand-cut Santa Barbara Stone, leading through an enchanting archway of trees to the main house.
