Prince Harry has reportedly turned down an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace during his upcoming visit to London, where he will attend a High Court trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN). The Duke of Sussex, who is suing the publisher over allegations of phone hacking, is scheduled to return to the UK later this month but has chosen not to accept the invitation to stay at the royal residence.
Instead, the 40-year-old prince is expected to stay elsewhere, continuing his recent trend of lodging at Althorp House, the estate of his uncle, Earl Charles Spencer. This follows his departure from Frogmore Cottage, his previous UK residence, which he and his wife, Meghan Markle, were evicted from in 2023.
While Buckingham Palace had extended an invitation for Harry to stay there during his trip, reports indicate that he declined the offer. This move was anticipated by royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, who had earlier speculated that Harry might avoid staying at the palace due to his ongoing strained relationship with the monarchy.
Harry’s security arrangements have also changed since stepping down as a senior royal in 2020. He no longer automatically receives police protection, with his security now decided on a case-by-case basis. After a lengthy legal battle, the Duke lost his fight for automatic protection while in the UK. However, in June 2024, he was granted permission to appeal the ruling.
